Travel Vaccinations and advice

Travel vaccinations

Travel advice and vaccinations is a private service that we are now able to offer.  Some vaccinations for travel are free on the NHS, others are available for a fee.

We are not currently able to offer the Yellow Fever vaccination but hope to do so again in the near future.

If you would like to book for travel advice/vaccinations, then please complete the risk assessment form below and return to us. We advise you book at least 8 weeks prior to travel.

1.-Travel-risk-assessment-form-2017.pdf

We can alternatively refer you to Villages Surgery in Southwater, one of the surgeries in our Primary Care Network who can assist you. 

Other options are - 

Superdrug travel clinics - https://healthclinics.superdrug.com/

Crawley Travel Clinic - https://www.crawleytravelclinic.com/

Masta travel - www.masta-travel-health.com/

Riverside Medical - https://www.riversidemedical.online/

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad.

NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK.  In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should then find an alternative supply of that medication.

Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.

 Rudgwick Surgery Policy

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months

For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so.  Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. Supply of any medication is at the discretion of the GP.

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months

Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination.

They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patients that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.

Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.

Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad

GP’s will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses. Eg antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.

GPs may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that country’s embassy before you travel.