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Now that many people are making plans for their summer holidays, we thought you might appreciate one or two ideas to think about when you are making your preparations.
We offer comprehensive travel advice and vaccines..... please make an appointment to see a Practice Nurse at least one month before you travel.
The Department of Health has produced an excellent booklet entitled "Health Advice for Travellers"and this is available from Post Offices or by telephoning the Health Literature Line on 0800 555 777. This booklet (also available online) contains most of the information you may need, including vaccination information, how to prevent simple illnesses and an application for for the essential E111 form for travellers to Europe.
Here are a few simple things for you to consider, covered in the booklet:
1. Contact the surgery well in advance (at least 6 weeks before you travel). Our Practice Nurses would be very pleased to advise and to arrange immunisations. Some of these cannot be given at the same time. Some take time to be effective. Immunisation against Hepatitis B, for example, can take six months to give full protection.
2. Keep a written record with you about any medical conditions affecting you, such as angina, diabetes and haemophilia, and the proper names – not just the trade names – of any medication you are taking.
3. Think about what medication (either prescribed or bought from a pharmacist) you will need to take with you. Make sure you order this well in advance and check that there are no restrictions on taking your medicines with you. If in doubt, contact the relevant Embassy or High Commission or the Home Office Drugs Branch (Tel:020 7273 3806).
4. Always carry medicines in a correctly labelled container, as issued by the pharmacist.
5. Pack your medication in your hand luggage and consider taking a copy of your repeat prescription form with you as proof that the medicines have been prescribed for you.
6. If you have any doubts about your teeth, or you plan to be away a long time, have a dental checkup and consider taking an emergency dental repair kit with you. These are available from major pharmacies.
7. Consider carrying a simple first aid kit with you. This might include: paracetamol, insect repellant, sunscreen, antiseptic cream, assorted plasters, water sterelisation tablets, crepe bandage, non-stick dressings and cotton bandage, anti-diarrhoeal tablets.
8. Consider carrying an emergencies aid kit if you are travelling to countries where you are not sure of the availability or hygiene of medical supplies. This might contain the following sealed items: 2 x 5ml syringes, 5 x assorted needles, intravenous cannula, skin suture with needle, skin closure strips, alcohol swabs, assorted non-stick dressings, cotton bandage and a roll of surgical tape. Hand this to the Doctor or Nurse in charge if you require medical attention. Emergency medical travel kits should carry sufficient identification to ensure their acceptance by Customs officials but the contents should not be opened until needed.
9. Ensure you have an E111 form if you are travelling to Europe. Please read the "Health Advice for Travellers" booklet described above and take both with you!
10. Prolonged immobility on long journeys, whether by plane, train or car, can lead to 'deep vein thrombosis' (a blood clot in the leg). Move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can. Avoid dehydration - take regular non-alcoholic drinks.
11. If you have ever had a DVT or clots in your lungs, have a family history of clotting, have had major surgery especially a hip or knee replacement in the last 3 months or suffer from heart disease, cancer or ever had a stroke, you may be at increased risk. Please ask one of our Doctors for advice.
12. Consider taking out health insurance, suitable for your destination
13. If you are going somewhere sunny, make sure you pack sunscreen with a high SPF factor and apply this regularly and liberally when you are in the sun.
14. PLEASE do not hesitate to contact the surgery to make arrangements to discuss any medical concerns you may have relating to your holiday.
Further information can be found on the following websites:
The Foreign Office offers specific safety advice for British Nationals travelling abroad which is continually updated. The information is collected from Embassies and Consulates around the world.
More General Information is also available from the Foreign Office's general homepage
The Scholl website gives information about the risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and some measure you might take to protect yourself against this risk.
