Students with medical conditions

If you are applying for accommodation at Plymouth University and have a medical condition, please complete the DAS Information for Accommodation Form so that we can work with you to correctly assess your accommodation requirements. University-managed halls of residence and University-allocated cluster flats are not, as they stand, designed for students who may need personal care support.

If you have particular accommodation requirements, Disability ASSIST may invite you for an information meeting once you have received an offer of a place, which will include discussing suitable accommodation. You can contact Disability ASSIST on 01752 587676 or at das@plymouth.ac.uk to request an information meeting. If you have any queries about the suitability of accommodation in Plymouth and wish to find out more information before applying to study at the University, please contact the Student Accommodation Office on 01752 588644 or at accommodation@plymouth.ac.uk and one of the team will be happy to discuss your options with you.

Someone with a requirement for support (personal assistance) in their living arrangements may be able to live safely in University-managed halls of residence or University-allocated cluster flats provided that they are able to organise their own on-going care and support arrangements. If you already have personal assistance you should ask your social worker or key worker for a reassessment, as your requirements may be quite different in a higher education, independent living environment. Such arrangements may include, for example, assistance with daily personal care, cooking, shopping, cleaning and laundry etc. It is important to be aware that the University does not provide personal assistance. Disability ASSIST will be able to advise you about how to arrange personal assistance - please contact them as early as possible.

In some cases, the University may require a professional assessment to be carried out (usually by Social Services) to determine whether it can offer suitable accommodation to any individual with identified particular requirements. This would include such matters as recommendations for minor adaptations, installation of dedicated alarm systems etc. If University-allocated accommodation is not suitable for you, the Student Accommodation Office will make every effort to assist you in finding appropriate accommodation - this may be in cooperation with other agencies and other private schemes with specifically designed facilities.

Existing provision for particular requirements

We have a number of rooms which already have basic additional facilities installed which may be helpful for applicants with particular requirements. Please note these are not always immediately available.

5 ground floor en suite rooms which may be suitable for residents with mobility impairment. They each have a larger bathroom with rails fitted for additional support. These rooms are in flats which have lower work surfaces fitted in the communal kitchen.
2 ground floor rooms (not en suite but with adapted communal bathrooms) in flats which have lower work surfaces fitted in the communal kitchen.
Portable alarm systems which can be linked to a variety of rooms are available for residents with a hearing impairment
2 self-contained "care team" flats. These are designed for a student with complex on-going personal support care requirements who would be employing a full time carer or care team throughout their time at university.

We will try to meet reasonable adaptation requests, provided that the work is physically possible and sufficient information is available in good time for the owners of the building to specify and organise completion of the work. There are a number of properties on the database of approved accommodation for first year students that provide adapted and en suite accommodation in flats and studio apartments.

Sources of further information

Please read the questions and answers which frequently arise for applicants with medical conditions when applying for accommodation: Accommodation FAQs

There is a website which provides a useful source of addresses, publications and other contacts for anyone with a personal assistance query. The web address is: http://www.disabilityalliance.org/

You may also wish to visit http://www.disabledgo.com/en/org/plymouth-university

Disability ASSIST Services are based in room 11, Learning Gateway, Roland Levinsky Building. Their telephone number is 01752 587676.

Student Union Support and Advice Centre for the Plymouth Campus can be contacted on 01752 588373.

The University Medical Centre (open weekdays, during term time. Opening hours are reduced during holidays) can be contacted on 01752 222341 register here.