Going on holiday?
It is great to have a treat and travel abroad has never been easier.
We want you to enjoy your well deserved holiday, so here are a few health
tips:
Get Yourself Insured
As soon as you book your holiday, sort yourself out with adequate
holiday insurance. Even in Europe you may need to
pay for some or all of any medical bills, which can be substantial. Ensure that
the insurance also covers emergency flights home. Your travel agent will be able
to advise you on the insurance you need, although you may find cheaper deals
elsewhere.
If you are travelling within Europe, fill in an E111
which is available from Post Offices. This form allows you to claim free or
reduced rates. The form gives more details of what you are entitled to.
Check Out Specific Health Hazards
There are an abundance of guide books in shops. It is well worth getting hold
of one and checking out whether there are any specific health hazards in the
country you are visiting. (For example, did you know that you shouldn't approach
animals if visiting the Grand Canyon, because of the risk of the Plague?)
The following websites may be useful for more advice (although we cannot
vouch for the accuracy of their advice):
Get Vaccinated
Again, as soon as you book your holiday, make an appointment with the nurses
to discuss your travel vaccine needs. Before the appointment, complete a travel
form (available from reception) so that the nurses can review your notes and
plan your vaccination course.
What vaccines you will need will depend on where you are going and at what
time of the year. Many of the vaccines are free to our own patients - again the
nurses can advise you before you start the course.
We are a yellow fever centre - meaning that you will not need to go to a
specialised travel centre if you need yellow fever vaccination.
Prescription Medicines
If you take prescription medicines (including contraceptives), have you got
enough to cover you for your holiday.? Check before you go and speak to
reception if you are likely to run out during your holiday.
For some medications and some destinations, it may be worth taking a doctors
note confirming that they are prescribed (examples might include controlled
drugs or insulin syringes.) There will be a nominal charge to cover the
administration costs of preparing the letter. If in doubt speak with the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office, the Embassy of the country you are visiting, or speak
to your doctor.
Please note, that some medicines we may be unhappy about prescribing early or
giving extra quantities of. Also, we cannot give more than 3 months supply of
medication at a time. If you are travelling for longer than 3 months you will
need to secure extra supplies on your travels. (You may also need to re-register
with us if you have been away for more than 3 months.)
When You are There
Enjoy your holiday, but take sensible precautions: don't go down dark alleys
and so on.
Make sure tap water is drinkable before drinking it - if in doubt buy bottled
water. The same advice would be true for drinks in bars (is that ice cube
safe?). Unless advised otherwise, don't drink from natural water sources - even
the crystal clear Alpine streams of Austria are not safe to drink from directly
to us used to drinking purified water.
Buy food from reputable dealers and cafes or restaurants. Avoid food that has
been cooked and left to go cold (equally, food that has been kept warm for any
length of time.) Be wary of raw vegetables, salads and fruit in areas where tap
water in unsafe to drink.
Wear high factor sun cream and avoid the heat of the day. Excessive sun
cancer may cause skin cancer.
Usual Disclaimer
The advice we give online can only be very general and useful as a guide.
Things change so for more up to date advice about healthy travelling, speak
either with your doctor or with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.