Patients outside of the UK

The NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. The practice therefore regrets that it cannot offer telephone or online consultations to patients who are outside of the UK for acute or new conditions. We may be able to provide advice for ongoing chronic conditions, however this will be at the discretion of the GP, and you may still be advised to seek advice locally.

If you are travelling abroad, you should ensure that you have adequate medical/travel insurance.

In the event that you require medical assistance while abroad, you should seek a local service and inform your insurance company as appropriate.

If you are travelling to a country in the Europe Economic Area (EEA), you can apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which may give you access to free or reduced cost medical treatment.

Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Prescribing Drugs for Patients who are Travelling Abroad

GPs are not required by their Terms of Service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present but may arise while the patient is abroad.

• GP may prescribe maximum of 3 months' supply of repeat medication for patients travelling abroad.
• This is dependent on what medicines/medical appliances are clinically suitable to be prescribed in this quantity. Where a clinical review is required, less than 3 months' supply may be appropriate.
• Patients travelling abroad for more than 3 months are encouraged to register with a local doctor to obtain repeat medication whilst they are away. Some medication may be directly available from pharmacies abroad.
• GPs at Pembroke Road Surgery are not responsible for prescribing medication required for conditions which arise whilst travelling e.g., diarrhoea medicine, travel sickness, altitude sickness medications.
• Please see separate link regarding prescribing for flying anxiety: /fear-of-flying-policy
• In rare circumstances the GP may prescribe more than 3 months' supply at their discretion, for example when the harm caused by the patient stopping the treatment whilst away could be significant, AND there is no opportunity to seek medical care abroad despite reasonable actions taken by the patient. Medications prescribed in these circumstances must not be a controlled substance, and must not require regular clinical/blood monitoring.

Further information on carrying medication abroad can be found on the Travel Health Pro website using the link below.

NaTHNaC - Medicines and travel (travelhealthpro.org.uk)

On return from your travels, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery if you need further assistance and bring any relevant medical information relating to your health with you.

For more general information about healthcare abroad, go to the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) and search for ‘healthcare abroad.’