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This page is under development

Advice for Travellers

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The E111 form is no longer valid. You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary healthcare during a visit to an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. Follow link to apply online.

Vaccinations

  • You may need travel vaccinations, depending on the country you are visiting. Most vaccinations for commonest holiday destinations are single dose.

  • More complex trips or longer stays (over 1 month) may involve multiple vaccinations and need earlier planning.

  • All vaccination courses are best completed at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

  • To help us advise you on the protection you need please fill in the Travel Immunisation form. This is available from the surgery, or by clicking this link- Holiday Imms form.xls (Excel spreadsheet)

Medication

  • Carry adequate supplies of any medicines you take regularly as it may not be possible to get more whilst you are abroad. A simple first aid kit will help you cope with many eventualities. If you are really roughing it in a high risk area consider taking sterile needles/giving set for blood transfusion.

D.V.T (Deep vein thrombosis)

It is important to remember that a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a rare occurrence but is commoner with long journeys and air travel. Also:

    1. a history of DVT or PE (pulmonary embolus)
    2. increasing age, weight or immobility
    3. pregnancy, recent operation, childbirth or circulatory problems
    4. smoking
    5. possibly taking the contraceptive pill or HRT.
    6. malignant disease i.e. cancer

We advise the following (in approximate order of importance)

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, but not alcohol (avoid dehydration)
  • Take every opportunity to get out of your seat and "stretch your legs".
  • While sitting down exercise your legs by "walking" with them while you sit, say for 5 minutes every half-hour, exercise your ankles/calves particularly.
  • If possible avoid bending your legs tightly or squashing them on the edge of the seat while you sleep. Avoid tight clothing.
  • Take a "baby" aspirin (75mg obtainable over the counter at the Chemist) every day for a week before the trip, unless contraindicated.
  • Wear special support stockings or tights. (from Chemist)

First Aid Kit

Individual requirements may vary but the following list covers many common problems:

  • Regular medication (including contraception if needed!)
  • Plasters, in a variety of different sizes and shapes.
  • Skin closure strips (paper stitches) ie Steristrips
  • Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings.
  • Sterile eye dressing.
  • Crêpe rolled bandages.
  • Safety pins, tweezers and scissors.
  • Alcohol-free cleansing wipes.
  • Sticky tape.
  • Skin rash cream such as hydrocortisone 1%.
  • Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings.
  • Painkillers such as Paracetamol (or infant Paracetamol for children),  or Ibuprofen.
  • Decongestant tablets or nasal spray ie Otrivine, Sinex.
  • Antihistamine tablets ie Loratadine or Chlorphenamine (Piriton).
  • Diarrhoea treatment ie Loperamide
  • Travel sickness tabs ie Cinnarizine (Stugeron)
  • Antacid ie Rennies, Gaviscon

Further advice may be available from this link

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