Holiday Preparation

Trying to arrange for travel with a pre-existing medical condition can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to order extra medication, file prescriptions and arrange for specialist medical cover you also have to prepare yourself to be in a foreign country with pre-existing conditions that may require medical attention whilst your are there.

Understandably this can make travellers with pre-existing conditions rather anxious about getting everything organised in advance of travel to minimise worry when travelling and when the final destination reached. After all, the last thing you want to do is to spend your leisure time by the beach worrying about your condition and its implications. For a stress free run up to your holiday, follow this easy to follow run down from a few months in advance to the moment of travel.

First Things First

The most important thing to sort out before you go are any inoculations you need to have and also whether or not you need to add medications such as anti-malarials to your existing intake. It is essential that you get onto this about three months before your are due to fly as often there can be complications with pre-existing conditions and medications for these clashing with drugs that need to be administered for travel. Starting early means less stress as there is more time to find alternatives and seek out the best solution for you.

Insurance

Medical insurance can be a difficult one to arrange with pre-existing conditions so make sure that you leave yourself at least eight weeks to get this sorted out. Try specialist companies such as Able 2 Travel who cater specially for those with pre-existing conditions. Remember to check with a number of regular companies as well and also your bank if you have an account that comes with travel insurance as you may be able to pay a premium and have your conditions covered.

Medications

Next in line comes ordering any extra medication you may need from the Doctor or pharmacy. Unless you are going away for a really long time, most surgeries are happy to prescribe extra for you to cover any time you are away. In either case, always makes sure that you carry your medications in your hand luggage to ensure their safe transportation along with a full (and if possible signed) prescription to show border control that your drugs are legal and necessary.

After that your holiday preparation should be the same as anyone else’s so if you’ve covered your medications, inoculations and insurance then sit back and enjoy the ride.