Anna Chapman, one of our experienced Travel Nurses, gives her top 5 reasons why having a travel consultation is so important … food for thought if you’re planning a trip abroad.
1 – Reputable advice from a trusted source
Clinics that specialise in travel have practitioners who have completed extra qualifications in travel medicine, such as a Diploma in Travel Medicine, Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Certificate of Travel Health. These qualifications ensure the practitioner gets specialist knowledge that is kept up-to-date by attending conferences and participating in research in the field. Many practitioners who work in travel medicine have experienced health care abroad, through extensive personal travel or through working or volunteering. This means the travel advice that a patient receives is always current and accurate.
Our travel nurses at the Fleet Street Clinic have a Diploma in Tropical Nursing and a Certificate in Travel Health and both GPs have a Diploma in Travel Medicine and a Certificate in Travel Health. All the practitioners in our Travel Clinic have travelled extensively and practiced their profession in developing countries. This means they are more aware of the risks that travellers face and have a greater understanding of how to deal with health issues on the road.
2 – Personalised travel consultation
No two people are the same and no two travel itineraries are the same. Travel consultations take this into account and give detailed and bespoke travel advice, not only for the itinerary but also for the individual. Seeing a practitioner face-to-face means that personal risks can be evaluated to ensure all travel health needs are met, rather taking a “one size fits all” approach.
3 – Travel health is NOT just about travel vaccinations
Whilst vaccinations are important, there are many aspects to staying healthy while abroad. In addition to vaccinations, there are considerations such as avoiding insect bites, use of medical kits, coping with jet lag, use of stand-by medications and coping with altitude sickness – all things that can be discussed when you have a travel consultation
4 – On-going care
Just because you have had your vaccinations before your trip, it doesn’t mean that your care ends when you leave the clinic. Specialist clinics can provide on-going care for subsequent trips and/or post-travel health concerns
5 – Time to talk
When a clinic has a specialist travel service, ample time is allocated to each appointment. Having a team of dedicated staff committed to travel medicine means that appointments can be completely flexible and can accommodate individuals, groups or families, both at the clinic or off-site, as well as offering appointments for last minute travellers.
You can book a travel health consultation online. Or see here, or more information about our travel health services.
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