You might think of the medical room as just the place you go for plasters or paracetamol, but there's much more to it than that, as Emma Goodger, our Lead Medical and Welfare Officer explains.
Our role in the Medical Room sits right at the intersection of physical health, emotional wellbeing and safeguarding. On any given day, my colleague Mia and I can be dealing with everything from paper cuts and sprained ankles to broken bones, concussions and sudden illness; and just as important, we’re also here for the things you can’t always see.
We support students through a wide range of issues...That can mean medical care or quiet conversation. Sometimes it’s just being there; a steady presence, a shoulder to cry on.
Emma Goodger, Lead Medical and Welfare Officer
The Medical Room is a safe, calm space where students know they can come if they’re feeling overwhelmed, worried, or in need of a moment to breathe. We support students through a wide range of issues, listening carefully, offering reassurance and helping them find the right support when it all gets a bit too much. That can mean medical care or quiet conversation. Sometimes it’s just being there; a steady presence, a shoulder to cry on.
A typical day could include administering medication, assessing injuries, supporting a sick child, checking in with a student who’s anxious, liaising with parents, teachers and external professionals, and documenting everything carefully in between. There are moments of urgency and moments of calm, but always a focus on care, safety and trust.
It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about caring for the whole child.
Emma Goodger
What makes the job so enjoyable is knowing that the Medical Room is a place where students feel safe and supported, whether they arrive with a bumped knee or a heavy heart. Helping them feel better, physically or emotionally, even in a small way, is a privilege. It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about caring for the whole child.