Support for Learning

The University of Plymouth has a number of services and resources available to support you on this programme including:

• Faculty Widening Participation Officer

• University Student Support Services

• Campus Libraries

• Computing Facilities

• Counselling Services

• Careers Service

• Information for students with specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities and other (short term) needs

• Health and Safety Information

Details of these services can be found in the University of Plymouth’s student handbook. Tutorial Support

Help with your progress on the Programme

Faculty of Health lecturing staff are allocated specific academic roles to assist you in your studies. Some of the key roles are described below -

You will be allocated a Personal tutor for first line contact and support. Personal tutors are here to help you with any problems regarding your academic progress, or with a personal problem that is affecting your participation in the course. You should see your personal tutor at regular intervals. Personal tutors are here to help you reflect on and review your own academic progress and to provide guidance if you encounter any academic or personal difficulties which prevent you from gaining the most from the course.

The role of academic staff is complemented by sign off mentors who have a role in the support of learning whilst you are undertaking practice placements. A mentor is a qualified midwife or other health professional who will support your learning in practice. At the beginning of each practice placement students will be allocated a sign off mentor who will monitor, record, and assess progress in practice. This role will be supported by practice educators in some areas. The sign off mentor has the final decision regarding practice assessment. The “sign-off mentor” will be a midwife who has met the NMC (2006) criteria for this role.

Each module requires a substantial amount of your own time for private study. The total will depend on your personal learning needs, your individual learning style and your previous knowledge. You will need to manage your time effectively to undertake this study, which will be required from the commencement of your programme, for example a 20 credit module nominally has 200 hours of “work” associated with it.

At the beginning of the programme you will be allocated an e-mail address. You should check your e-mail regularly as this form of communication will regularly be used to convey important information relating to your programme, modules and placements. You will also find that lecturers use e-mail and the Faculty of Health web-site to publish programme, module and placement information. You will be given instruction on the use of this technology. You can also access additional academic support from the University of Plymouth’s Learning Development Service through [email protected] and at www.plymouth.ac.uk/learn . Additionally helpdesks are available in libraries across the region.

Staff cover during sickness or absence

Academic staff may on occasions be absent or sick at short notice, or of a longer duration. Where a lecturer is absent for any reason you will be notified as soon as possible. If a prolonged period of absence is anticipated you will be notified of cover arranged. If you are unable to contact your personal tutor or a member of the module team via telephone or email or experience a significant delay in response, please copy the programme lead into further communication with a request to follow this up. A period of approximately a week is

generally deemed appropriate prior to a response being received. Information and Learning Services - Library Information

As students within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, you will have borrowing rights and full access to the libraries located on each of the University Sites. In addition to these main site Libraries you will also have borrowing rights and full access to Library Services

supporting the Faculty of Health both at Somerset College, Taunton and the Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro

The libraries hold collections of books, journals and other media covering all of the subject areas taught within the University. In particular resources are selected to meet the needs of your individual course. If you have any difficulty in locating resources or materials please talk to the subject team staff for Medical and Human Sciences.

At each site an enquiry desk service is available to support users and provide help with locating resources, using services or just finding your way around. For more detailed enquiries, specialist subject librarians are always on hand at each of the University site libraries to assist users.

A wide range of electronic sources ranging from specialist websites to key databases and electronic journals are available via the University website.

Other Health Care Related Learning Resources

There are also collections based in Trust and Health Authorities. These libraries are

managed directly by the Trusts and Health Authorities and access to them is dependent upon their own rules and regulations. It is now possible for students whilst on placement, or

undertaking courses based in a study centre to access these collections for loans. Please ask at the Trust Library for details.

Your local library can also access books and articles through inter-library loans and from the British Library. Professional bodies may also have learning and study resources that

members can access. There is also a growing resource of health related learning material on the internet.

Opening Hours

Up to date opening hours for all of the University Libraries are now available from the student portal/TULIP. Students are advised to check with individual sites when visiting

libraries during the Summer, Christmas or Easter periods. Vacation dates may vary between sites and from year to year. Please contact the site by telephone or check the student portal/TULIP. Notices setting out vacation dates will also be displayed in each site library.

Information and Learning Services – Computing Services

As a student you will have access to computing services offered by the University and a computer account with user name and password will be set up for you following registration. Open access computing areas are available on all Faculty of Health teaching and study centre sites, in addition you will be able to access many electronic resources via internet services from off-campus. Information on how to do this together with appropriate passwords and access advice is covered in your library induction sessions. There are a number of regulations governing the use of computing facilities at the University of Plymouth. Students are asked to read the information at the following website:

http://intranet.plymouth.ac.uk/computing/policies/intranet.htm

The student portal/TULIP can be accessed at the following location:

http://students.plymouth.ac.uk. Please note that this is the access route for your practice electronic portfolio. Preparation sessions will be provided.