WEEKLY TRAVEL CLINICS

Trips to destinations beyond northern Europe are increasingly popular and the lower costs of these combined with more frequent and faster transport make them feasible for many. At the same time the variety and availability of adventurous types of holiday have also increased, which is great news for those who want to travel further afield and enjoy the new experiences on offer. However with all of this diversity, the risk of travel to your health is increased. Consequently, it is very important that you check out the health risks with a suitably qualified health professional before you go.

We offer a weekly nurse led travel clinic at which your travel health risks can be assessed; questions answered; and any necessary courses of immunisation begun.

The Clinics take place every Tuesday afternoon and you can book an appointment by contacting our Reception Team. You will be asked to complete a Pre-Travel Health Risk Assessment form (click here to download) which you should bring with you when you attend.  You will also be asked about your holiday destination including the resort (or resorts) at which you will be staying, as health risks can differ between regions within countries.

As some courses of vaccinations take several weeks to complete, please book an appointment at least 8 WEEKS before departure.

We are sorry, but we are unable to provide last minute travel appointments (less than 3 weeks before travel) due to the time taken to obtain some vaccines. If you find yourself in this situation, then please contact the travel health specialists, MASTA who may be able to help you and have clinics in York, Leeds and Newcastle.

Further Information

The Department of Health website contains general health advice for travellers including how to obtain a European Health Insurance Card, how to get medical treatment abroad and information on staying healthy while away.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm

General travel health advice and recommendations for medicines you may need can be found at http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/or http://www.masta-travel-health.com/travel-health.aspxor www.who.int/ith.

A decision about the travel vaccinations that you will need depends upon which countries you will be visiting, how you are travelling, and how long you will be staying there. If you are registered with a GP practice some travel vaccinations are available free of charge.  Vaccinations that are covered by the NHS are: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria/tetanus/polio.  Many injections recommended for travel to more exotic locations are not covered by the NHS, and we will charge a fee for these (details of charges can be provided on request). Travel vaccinations that are NOT routinely covered by the NHS include: • Cholera • Japanese encephalitis • Meningococcal meningitis • Rabies • Tick borne encephalitis • Hepatitis B • Yellow fever.The Department of Health has ruled that medicines to prevent malaria should not be provided on the NHS.

Supply of regular medicines when travelling for long periods of time

The Department of Health recommends that NHS prescriptions for longer than 3 months supply should not be routinely given. If you are planning to be away for longer than 3 months, and need regular medicines, you will need to see a doctor in the country you are visiting.

Taking liquid medicines, syringes and needles on flights

Additional airport security measures mean that there are now restrictions on carrying non-essential medicines in hand luggage. No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than prescription medicines in liquid form which are essential for the flight. If you use insulin or other medication which you need to inject, you will need a letter from your GP to allow syringes and other equipment to be carried in hand luggage. You may be able to use your repeat prescription request slip if this has all the relevant details. If your GP writes you a letter you may be charged for this service. You should check with your airline what information they require.