Whilst travelling, looking after your health is important. Knowing where to go, what to do and who to ask for help if you are taken ill or hurt whilst staying abroad is vital to making sure that you get medical attention if needed and are able to get the treatment that you need. Hopefully, you won’t have to use any of the services available or the information that you gather regarding health care in the location which you’re planning to visit, but it’s always much better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to your health. If you’re planning to go travelling soon, here are just some of the healthcare related things that you’ll need to take care of.
EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card is, as of now, still available to residents of both the UK and Ireland. You can apply for an EHIC card through the NHS, and a valid card will give you access to state-provided healthcare if necessary during a temporary stay in a country which is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland. Since not all European countries offer free healthcare, applying for one of these cards is vital before you travel to Europe.
Vaccinations
Depending on where you are planning to visit, it may be necessary for you to have some booster vaccinations before setting off. If you’re planning to visit countries which have diseases and problems that are not commonplace in the UK, there’s a high chance that your immune system won’t be able to cope with it as well, and therefore you’ll end up getting sick. For those planning to visit countries such as Brazil, Peru, Australia and Thailand to name just a few, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor about which vaccinations are recommended before you go.
Travel Insurance
Having good travel insurance is absolutely imperative to making sure that your health is taken care of on your trip. Not only does travel insurance cover you for a range of events such as lost luggage or cancelled flights, it can also help to pay the cost of any health care charges incurred whilst you are staying in another country. Travel insurance is especially important if you are not an EHIC holder and visiting Europe, or are visiting a non-European country. Without travel insurance, you may be expected to foot the bill yourself if you end up needing medical attention.
Do Your Research
Before you set off on your journey, it’s vital to make sure that you do plenty of research so that you know what to do in the event of a medical emergency or if you are taken ill. It’s important to know where the nearest hospital, clinic or doctor’s surgery to you is and how to get there, along with emergency numbers for the country in which you are staying. Learning some key words in the local language can also help you to get help faster if you need it.
When you travel, it’s important to make sure that your health is your priority!