Overseas travel

Occupational Health Service information for overseas travellers

Prior to travel

The Occupational Health Service does not currently have the facility to offer an in-house travel clinic for those employees travelling abroad on University business.

Please check the specific travel health advice and vaccination requirements for your destination on the recommended website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Generally all travellers visiting Europe, U.S.A, Canada, New Zealand and Australia do not need additional vaccinations as long as they have been satisfactorily immunised for life in Britain, but please check this as it is subject to change. Other countries will require vaccinations and precautions against malaria, which you will find listed at www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.

It is recommended that travellers to Europe carry a European Health Insurance Card. To apply for the card, either call 0845 606 2030 or apply online.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Occupational Health Nurses on ext. 3187 should you have any questions regarding the information given on the above website or any other aspect of your travel health.

Please also check the Red24 website (password 7797) for health information specific to the country you are visiting. Click on 'Travel assistance website' on the right, select your country, then click on 'Health Advisory' on the horizontal menu bar.

Vaccinations

For all vaccinations, current health advice and anti-malarial prescriptions you will need to contact your GP/Practice Nurse, advising them of the country and region you are visiting and the purpose of your visit. Your GP/Practice Nurse will then be able to give any vaccines required, depending on your previous medical history and any current health conditions.

Ideally, you should contact your GP or Practice Nurse as soon as possible, once you know your departure date, (ideally 8 weeks in advance), as some vaccines cannot be given together or take a period of time before they become effective.

Please ensure that you have checked whether the Yellow Fever vaccination is required for your destination. You will require certificated evidence of this to enter those countries stipulated. This will need to be dated at least 10 days prior to arrival (if a 1st dose).

If any charges are incurred for your vaccinations or anti-malarials, these can be claimed back with your other trip expenses from your Department.

If your GP practice does not operate a travel clinic, the following surgeries will see people for travel vaccinations who are not registered patients at that practice:

Should you have any difficulty regarding your vaccinations, please contact one of the Occupational Health Nurses on ext. 3187 to discuss further.

First aid kits

Traveller's first aid kits are available from the Occupational Health Secretary. Please telephone ext. 3187 to arrange collection.

These kits contain sterile needles, syringes etc as well as some basic dressings. We would recommend you take one of these with you when travelling to less developed countries or if you are proposing to undertake fieldwork.

On your return

If you have experienced any health problems whilst abroad, please let Occupational Health Services know on your return. If you feel unwell on your return to the UK, please contact your GP and inform Occupational Health Services.

If you choose to ignore the current recommended vaccine and travel health advice for the countries which you will be visiting, you will be travelling at your own risk.