Measles
Outbreaks of measles are ongoing in parts of Europe, so we're urging holidaymakers to put MMR vaccination checks at the top of their to-do lists.
More information can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/measles-outbreak-advice
Travelling abroad
Not responsible for prescribing items on NHS for conditions which may arise while travelling outside of the UK (e.g. travel sickness)
- Travelling abroad < 3 months – may be appropriate to prescribe a maximum of 3 months' supply of medication
- Travelling abroad > 3 months – only a sufficient supply of medication to allow patient to reach destination and find alternative supply
If travelling within Europe, can apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which offers access to reduced-cost medical treatment. See NHS guidance for details https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
NHS Travel Vaccinations
www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
If you are going on holiday & require immunisations, it is important that you take responsibility for your vaccinations, please read the details below & contact our reception team if you require further information:
- We ask that you complete our Travel Form & forward it to the reception team at least 8 weeks prior to your travel date. Our Receptionist will date stamp the form to confirm the date it was received by us, our Nurse can then assess your requirements, offer advice & vaccinate.
- An appointment with us is dependent on whether you have provided sufficient notice as requested to ensure we are able to obtain the required vaccinations in time from our suppliers. National supply shortages or late form submissions can result in patients needing to obtain vaccinations at a private clinic, whereby you can discuss the relevant fees / charges relating to your chosen travel destination
- We do not use emergency appointments for travel vaccinations. If you are booking a last minute / late deal holiday or have not submitted your forms at least 8 weeks prior to travel, we cannot guarantee offering vaccinations, especially as some travel health requirements have long lead times.
- If you make use of last minute / late deals we suggest you keep your travel vaccinations up to date on a continual basis.
Failure to follow the surgery protocol may result in the Nurse being unable to give you your travel vaccinations.
We do not offer Yellow Fever vaccine services.
Criteria for NHS Travel Vaccinations at GP Surgery
- Download Travel Form (PDF, 167KB) or obtain from our reception desk
- Complete the travel form fully (incomplete forms will result in a delay)
- Provide 8 weeks notice
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Any national shortages of certain vaccines which affects GP surgeries and travel clinics will be listed here to keep patients up to date, our Nurse will at these times only be able to provide you with vaccines we have in stock.
We are continually updated by our vaccine suppliers & aim to keep patients informed.
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Not all vaccinations are provided free of charge on the NHS, more information here.
Some vaccinations may need to be sourced privately by you - Private clinics can be found via an internet search - local clinics to Hertfordshire are:
www.masta-travel-health.com/FindAClinic
Please visit the following sites for further travel information:
Diabetes UK: www.diabetes.org.uk
Foreign Office: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
Kids Travel: www.kidstraveldoc.com
Medic Alert®: www.medicalert.org.uk
NaTHNaC: www.nathnac.org
NHS UK: www.nhs.uk
Patient.co.uk: www.patient.co.uk/health/advice-for-travelling-to-remote-locations
Sunsmart: www.sunsmart.org.uk
For travel health advice for your destination please select the appropriate link:
More information about travel vaccinations can be found at www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Travel-immunisation/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Use of Benzodiazepines (and related medications) for flying
Gp's at Helix Medical Centre will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest patients attend aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.
Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract and we are therefore not obliged to prescribe for this. Patients who still wish to take benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP.
Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. The following short guide outlines the issues surrounding its use with regards to flying and why the surgery no longer prescribes such medications for this purpose.
People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.
According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) for treating phobias (fears). It also states that “the use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.” Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
Although plane emergencies are a rare occurrence there are concerns about reduced awareness and reaction times for patients taking Diazepam which could pose a significant risk to themselves and others due to not being able to react in a manner which could save their life in the event of an emergency on board necessitating evacuation.
The use of such sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at an increased risk of developing a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) in the leg or even the lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours, the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere.
Whilst most people find Diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally which can pose a risk on the plane. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police. The passenger may also need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and/or other legs of the journey
It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer. If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have.
Given the above we will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest the below aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.
For further information:
https://thefearofflying.com/programs/fly-and-be-calm/
https://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travel-assistance/flying-with-confidence
https://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/