Five Valleys Medical Practice is able to provide Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Cholera vaccinations for travel, free of charge as per current NHS recommendations. This is in addition to vaccinations that fall within the Routine Immunisation Schedule for the UK.

We are able to provide dedicated appointments for travel assessment and vaccination. These appointments will be with nurses who have completed the necessary training and have the required skills to complete a travel assessment and to administer the vaccines.

These vaccines can only be provided following a travel assessment to identify which vaccines are required for the country / counties you are travelling to. We will supply you with relevant information prior to travel to keep you safe abroad. It is the traveller’s responsibility to source any private vaccines and malaria prophylaxis prior to their trip and to read the information provided regarding safety when travelling abroad.

It is essential to contact us as soon as possible having planned your trip – and at least 6 weeks before you travel to enable us to accommodate your request. If you do not give us the required notice or we do not have the appointment capacity, you may be directed to an alternative independent travel clinic. This will mean that you will have to pay for the necessary travel vaccinations.

Please visit travelhealthpro.org.uk where you will find information and advice to help keep you safe when you travel.

You will be asked to complete our travel assessment form which we will be happy to send on to you via text or email. You can also pick a form up from the surgery.

Once we receive your completed form a trained nurse will assess your requirements and will contact you to advise which vaccines you need. We will then arrange an appointment for you to receive those vaccines which are funded by the NHS (if we have capacity to do so prior to your journey). If no timely appointments are available you may be advised to contact an independent travel vaccine provider. For example, most Pharmacies offer a private travel service.

If we are able to offer you an appointment for NHS-funded vaccines but you also require vaccines that are not available on the NHS you will also need to make an appointment with an independent provider.

If you require Malaria prophylaxis (which varies depending on your destination): some medications are available ‘over the counter’ whilst others require a private prescription. You will need to contact a private provider if the latter is the case. The nursing team will be able to advise you.

Please be aware that travel vaccines are one of many services we offer, and our appointments are limited. We may not be able to offer you an appointment if there is no capacity for us to do so. Completing the assessment form does not automatically entitle you to an appointment for vaccination, this is dependent upon availability and demand on the service.

Fit to Fly Letter Requests

We are unable to provide statements or letters that individuals are “fit to fly”.

This is not an NHS service, and the Doctors are not trained, nor indemnified to do so.

Pregnancy and Fitness to Fly

As maternity care is now undertaken entirely by the midwifery service with very little GP input, and as we have no access to the midwifery antenatal records, we advise pregnant ladies with any questions regarding air travel to contact their midwife and to consult with the relevant airline.

Prescribing for Patients Travelling Abroad

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 yet which 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 the find an alternative supply of that medication.

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

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 any existing long-term conditions (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 if there are safety concerns.

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months

Patients who are leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months’ supply where safe to do so).

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. We are happy to reassure such patients that their electronic records will be kept on file for reference when they return.

Patients and relatives should not seek medication from the surgery for themselves whilst they are abroad as this may constitute NHS fraud.

Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad

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 issued free of charge, and it is at the discretion of the prescribing doctor as to whether they undertake this private / non-NHS work.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you are responsible for making the necessary checks prior to travel.

Sedation for fear of flying

We do not prescribe sedation for patients who have a fear of flying. Please refer to our “Fear of Flying” policy.

There are several courses available to help with anxiety related to flying:

• Flying with confidence – British Airways
• Fearless flyer – easyJet