Medication/Prescription Requests
An NHS patient planning to travel abroad may receive an FP10 from their Practice to cover their time abroad. This is at the discretion of the Practice, but must be for no longer than three months. This should give the patient enough medication to last until they can make arrangements for alternative supply in the country they are visiting.
If you are going to run out of your regular medication during your holiday, please ensure you contact the Practice prior to travel. Standard medication requests can take up to 48 (working) hours to be processed. If you require a review this may further extend the time to prescribe your medication. Medication requests will not be given urgent on the day appointment slots.
If you require quantities of medication that differ to what you are normally prescribed i.e. you are going on a long trip, or you require alternative support/medication i.e. delaying of a menstrual cycle, please ensure you contact the Practice 4 weeks prior to travel to book a routine appointment. These requests will not be given urgent on the day appointment slots.
New NHS prescriptions (including current repeat medication) cannot be issued to patients who are outside of the UK. Please ensure you are aware of how to access healthcare abroad, including obtaining medication.
NHS prescriptions must never be obtained by relatives or friends on behalf of patients who are currently abroad, irrespective of such factors as owning a house in the UK or paying UK taxes.
It is a patients responsibility to check if they are able to take their medication abroad. This is not something the Practice can advise patients on. For more information, visit: NHS – Can I take my medicine abroad? and GOV.UK – Foreign Travel Advice
Accessing Healthcare On Holiday
For information on how to access NHS support while on holiday in the UK, visit: NHS – How can I see a GP if I’m away from home
For information on healthcare abroad, visit: NHS – Healthcare Abroad
To access a range of key resources relating to travel, visit: Jane Chiodini – Travel Health Specialist Nurse – Traveller Advice Resources
Travel Vaccinations
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you will need to contact the Practice to book a Travel Appointment with the Clinical Nurse Lead at least 6 weeks before you travel.
Prior to contacting reception for an appointment, please check online that you do require vaccinations for your chosen destination.
It is important to do this as early as possible to ensure we are able to offer you an appointment in time, and have the appropriate vaccinations in stock.
Please note, some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Payment will be required before you receive your vaccinations.
For further information about countries and vaccinations required, visit: NHS – Fit For Travel and NHS – Travel Vaccinations
Private Fees
The Practice requires payment prior to your appointment for all non-NHS services.
Payment is taken by reception in cash or by card machine.
Please ask reception for a receipt, if required.
Click here to view Private Travel Vaccination Charges
Click here for information regarding other private fees
Travel Vaccination Shortages
There are occasionally national shortages of some travel vaccinations.
In these circumstances our nurses will endeavour to continue to carry out a detailed consultation on a case by case basis, giving appropriate advice but this may not include vaccinations.
Unfortunately, the shortages are outside of our control.
For information about current vaccine shortages, visit: NaTHNaC – Vaccines and medicines: availability, supply, shortages and use of unlicensed medicines
You may find that other vaccination clinics still have these in stock for you, however there may be different charges for alternate services.
The Practice would be grateful that if you source a vaccination elsewhere, you contact us to cancel your appointment. This enables us to give this slot to another patient who doesn’t require travel vaccinations.
Travelling In Europe
If you are travelling to Europe, the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European Union website.
Covid-19 and Travelling Abroad
As aspects such as; Covid-19 vaccine status evidence and testing demands change regularly within countries across the world, the Practice is unable to provide detailed information relating to specific country entry requirements at any time, including during travel vaccination appointments.