University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 10 January 1997

University Health Centre re-opens its doors in Students' Union Building

Now able to provide more efficient service, says doctor

By David Holehouse

Student Service's Health Centre is still offering the same comprehensive and convenient service it always has, now that it, along with its Student Services' cousins, has been moved to the Students' Union Building.

"We are providing the same service as before (when the centre was on the east side of the campus), but more efficiently," says Gordon McInroy, Director of the Centre. "We do have more space, however, and have the flexibility to adapt and grow as future needs dictate."

And now that the Centre is under

the same roof as other Student Services programs such as financial aid, counselling and career planning, Dr McInroy expects students and staff will be able to have access to a more holistic approach to providing services.

"We now have a functional unit that allows us to deliver expanded and comprehensive care to students, families and staff," he said. "We are part of a group of services providing a holistic approach to people's physical, spiritual, occupational, social, intellectual and emotional care."

Now that the Centre is in SUB, it is very easy for students to accept referrals to other Student Services counsellors in the building.

The Health Centre includes rooms for psychiatric counselling, auditory testing, dietary counselling, rehabilitation medicine and physical exams. There are six beds for the walking wounded, and doctors on call in case treatment is required.

In addition to dealing with walk-in clients, the Centre develops educational programs and materials to help raise the level of health of everyone on campus. It has developed interactive shareware software on matters such as alcohol abuse that are now used across the continent.

The Health Centre is a busy place, partly because of the extra stresses placed upon students, and partly because of the convenience of its location and the quality of services it provides. More than 200 patients used the new Centre on its first day, not including psychiatry appointments.

"Students' health needs tend to be magnified because of the stresses they are under, and often they need immediate help and guidance in a multitude of areas," Dr McInroy said.

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