We have an issue with this where students contract any long term
chronic health (mental or physical) problem during their course, and
suspend because they get behind with their work in consequence.
Colleges require them to be declared fit to return by the college
doctor, but is the college doctor (who is often also the student's GP)
the most appropriate person to make the judgement? what about
conflicts of interest? if you go for the student's consultant, they may
be reluctant to put the relationship with their patient at risk by
appearing to act for the college. Outside consultants may not have
access to the case notes and won't know the student. And anyway,
the reality in many cases is that the student will not return to their
previous state of health, but may be able to return to study if
sufficient adjustments are made, which may include multiple
suspensions in cases of relapse, and stretching the course over an
extended period to accommodate fatigue. Endless scope for
argument... Ann Poulter
On 26 Apr 2005, at 14:10, No Name wrote:
> A student interrupted their studies for 18 months due to ill health
> (beginning with an emergency admission for anorexia) but is now applying
> to return.
>
> In response to her funding application the LEA have requested
>
> "a letter from your doctor confirming that you are in good health and
> fit to study"
>
>
>
> Now this presents a problem I fear.
>
> We shouldn't' be placing any additional requirements on disabled
> students that we do not press on other students, and in any case, we
> don't require any other student disabled or not to produce evidence that
> they are fit to study.
>
> But on the other hand, I can see an argument that if this student had to
> stop their studies for medical reasons, it is important that these have
> been resolved before restarting studies, otherwise nothing has been
> resolved by the interruption.
>
>
>
> What experience have others had?
>
>
>
>
>
> Alice Pennington
>
> Disabilities Officer
>
> Roehampton University
>
>
>
> Tel: 020 8392 3113 ext. 4088
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> www.roehampton.ac.uk/disabilities
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
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>
>
Ann Poulter,
University Disability Adviser
Diversity & Equal Opportunites Unit
University of Oxford
Tel:01865 280660
Fax: 01865 280300
Email:[log in to unmask]
|