Section 12: Medical Incapacity
If there is concern that a student is not medically fit to continue his or her course of study either temporarily or (exceptionally) permanently, it may be in the interests of the student and others for action to be taken on a welfare basis.
Under Statute XIII, Part B if the Proctors believe that a student may be suffering from a serious problem arising from ill-health, they can refer him or her to the University’s Occupational Health Service. This can happen whether the student comes to the Proctors’ attention during a disciplinary investigation or in any other way. Where a student’s medical condition or conduct gives rise to the need for immediate action, the Proctors are empowered to suspend him or her from the University immediately pending further investigation (the suspension then has to be reviewed after 21 days). Similarly, one of the University’s disciplinary panels can decide to refer a student to the Occupational Health Service. Any disciplinary proceedings will be suspended while the possible medical issues are being assessed (but these may be resumed if it is determined that the student is not in fact suffering from a serious problem relating to ill-health). Also authorised to refer students to the Occupational Health Service are heads of department or faculty (or their deputies) and college heads (or their deputies).
The Occupational Health Service will assess the referred student, seeking advice from his or her General Practitioner and, if necessary, arranging for an independent medical examination to be carried out at the University’s expense. A confidential report is then produced. In the case of graduate students, this is considered in the first instance by the head of department or faculty; in the case of undergraduates, the report is considered by the college. There is then a process of consultation with the Assessor (see section 1.2 of this booklet) to determine the next steps, e.g.
- no further action
- student’s continued residence to be subject to reasonable conditions recommended by the Occupational Health Service
- student to be suspended from the University for a specified or indefinite period (possibly with conditions relating to provision of medical evidence to support reinstatement)
- resumption of adjourned disciplinary proceedings
- student’s college to deal with the case under it procedures.
If the student is dissatisfied with the decision taken, or if it takes more than 28 days for a decision to be reached, he or she can appeal to a Medical Board (which can, for example, confirm, vary or annul the original decision).