| October 16, 2019 | Jill Bold | managing editor |
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Health services offices on all campuses have ceased to provide care for minor illnesses or injuries and over-the-counter medications for the foreseeable future.
When The Collegian reached out to all five health service coordinators from each campus as to why the health services are being temporarily curtailed, they all declined to comment.
In an email sent out Oct. 9, NE vice president of student development services Mayra Olivares-Urueta cited a need to clearly define the services provided by health services due to recent events that were not specifically explained in the email.
“Currently, health services staff cannot provide treatment for minor illness or injury, nor can they administer medications of any kind,” Olivares-Urueta said. “They can, however, make referrals to address those issues.”
A plan is in place to focus on these concerns, according to Reginald Gates, vice chancellor of communications and external affairs.
“We are assessing our health care centers and the services they provide,” Gates said.
Health services staff will refer any walk-ins to the appropriate health care provider instead of administering treatments that they used to provide.
“We are giving them [students] information about the nearest clinic,” said SE health services administrative assistant Bharti Aswad.
The health services section of the TCC website has not been updated to reflect the new changes as it still states that all previously administered services remain available.
Many students were not aware of the change in status. NW student Hope Luper said she would have expected that at least some basic treatments could be given out.
“They should give out cream and Band-Aids at least,” Luper said.
NE student Lynzee Misseldine said that although she does not personally use health services, she knows of other students who are uninsured and depend on health services when needed. She said students ought to be able to rely on these services since many people cannot afford to see a medical professional outside of campus.
“If it came down to it, and I was unable to go to my primary doctor, and I knew that I could go to the school, I would definitely use that,” she said.
TR student Melissa Woodward expressed confusion when she heard she could not receive treatment.
“I would be furious if they rejected me,” Woodward said.
The protocol for medical emergencies remains the same. Students need to call 817-515-8911 to contact campus police. District administrators have not commented on when services will resume on all campuses.
