This page will convey useful information and tips for Groups and Individual Travellers. This is by no means exhaustive or presented in the form of advice other than as general guidelines and hints.
If you are taking regular medication, it is wise to make a note of any pills or medicines you are taking with you. Also note the dose that you take and regularity with which you take the medicines. If you suffer from an allergy, keep a note of this about you too. If you have had any serious medical problems, it would be prudent to carry a doctors letter detailing the problems and any necessary precautions related to that history.
To find out which immunisations are recommended for your journey and destination, you can contact your doctor. Common immunisations are for with tetanus and polio. In some countries, Yellow Fever immunisation is mandatory and a relevant certificate will be required to gain entry. If you are travelling to an area where malaria is a risk, you should take appropriate action to reduce the risk of infection through antimalarial tablets and of course, try to avoid mosquito bites! Medication using begins before you embark on your journey, sometimes as much as 3 weeks prior and should continue for a specified period after you have left the last malarial area visited.
The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the 15 member states of the European Community plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any of these countries, free or reduced-cost emergency treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid Form E111. Only state-provided emergency treatment is covered, and you will receive treatment on the same terms as nationals of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and state-provided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS.
Go to any main post office or travel agent and ask for a leaflet "Health Advice for Travellers". Fill in the application form at the back of the booklet as well as form E111 itself, in accordance with the instructions in the booklet. Hand over the completed forms at the post office where the form E111 will be stamped and signed and returned to you. The E111 is free; you will not have to pay for its issue. Keep it safe, preferably with your passport, and carry it with you when travelling within the EEA.
Form E111 covers you, your spouse and your dependant children up to the age of 16, or 19 if they are still in full time education. It will also cover an unmarried partner if you have children together. When your children pass these ages they can get an E111 in their own right and you should apply for another form without the children included. Your children generally have to be included as dependants on your E111, but will qualify in their own right if they meet the eligibility conditions but you do not. Foster parents can include foster children on their own E111.
Always keep a photocopy of your E111 form with the original. This is important if you apply for treatment in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain as a photocopy is required as well as your original E111. You will be given back your E111 but the photocopy will be kept. However, in some countries the original E111 may be kept by the authorities.
Each of the EEA countries has its own rules for state medical
provision. In some, treatment is free. In some, you have to pay part of the
cost. In others, you have to pay the full cost and then claim a full or partial
refund.
Get adequate travel insurance.
Make sure
it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
Make sure it provides
cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
Make sure it covers
you for all activities, including hazardous sports.
Disclose pre-existing
medical conditions.
Take your policy number
and the 24-hour emergency number with you.
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS It is the responsibility of every Insured Traveller to obtain either Verbal or Written confirmation from their normal medical practioner that there is no reason why they should not travel. If in doubt, a quick call to the Insurer for advice is recommended for clarification.
If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas.
Make
sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date.
Take a photocopy with
you and leave a copy at home.
Write the full details
of your next of kin in your passport.
Make sure you have valid
visas.
Take another form of
ID with you (preferably with a photograph). Plan to stay healthy.
Check
what vaccinations you need with your GP at least six weeks before you travel.
Check the advice at
http://www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/
Check if your medication
is legal in the country you are visiting.
Pack your medication
in your hand luggage.
If taking medication
with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter.
If travelling within
the EEA (European Economic Area) get an E111 from the Post Office. (Countries
in the EEA (European Economic Area) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.)
Check to see if extra
health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria
zones). Know about where you are going.
Get a
good guide book and look at the FCO country fact sheets.
Make sure you know about
local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs.
Make sure you know about
local culture especially relating to dress codes.
Take a phrase book that
you can use in emergencies. Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and,
if flying, make sure your holiday package is ATOL protected.
Plan ahead to avoid
trouble.
Check
the FCO up-to-date travel advice and travellers' tips.
Tell friends and family
where you are going.
Contact family and friends
if trouble flares up. Take enough money for your trip.
Check
the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card(s).
Make sure you have back-up
funds such as travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.
Have a return ticket,
or enough money to buy one. Leave copies of important information with family
and friends.
A copy
of your passport and details of your next of kin
A copy of your insurance
document plus the 24-hour emergency number.
A copy of your ticket
details.
A copy of your itinerary
and a way of contacting you such as e-mail.