Be wise, be safe, take care

Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance for your trip. Be sure to read the trip insurance policy carefully, noting any deductibles, exceptions or exemptions for pre-existing conditions, activities, diseases or areas of the world. For the small amount that it may cost, should you fall ill or have an accident, it may save you a fortune… some countries do not have the same national health system as we do in the UK.

Even if you are covered, you may still be expected to pay the bill in cash and be reimbursed from your insurance. Make sure you receive a completely itemised bill, in English, if possible.

You may be making your travel plans months in advance. Many things can happen in that time that would cause you to have to cancel your trip and possibly lose your deposit. You are susceptible to travel delays, often beyond your control, which can cause you to miss all or part of your trip. Check the policy to make sure you are covered for expenses caused by travel delays, as well as, cancellation coverage.

If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you'll be visiting. This way you'll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.

You should consider a dental appointment if you haven't had a check up in a while.

What health information should I carry with me?

Complete and take with you a personal medical history. Your doctor should be able to help you complete the history. It should include:

• Your Insurance Company's name and address.
• Trip Insurance contact information.
• Contact person in case of emergency.
• Your blood type.
• A copy of your eyeglass prescription.
• A list of current medications with their generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.
• A list of allergies, including any known food or drug allergies.
• A list of immunisations with their dates.
• A basic description of your past and present medical condition, including past hospitalisations and any current problems.
• Make sure that you take any prescription medications you need to take regularly with you, in their original bottle/packaging with your name written on them. It's a good idea to take a note from your doctor confirming that you need prescription medication because drug laws in different countries can be complex.
• Take some basic medical supplies such as paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tablets for that jippy stomach (just in case).
• Unlikely we know but if you are going further afield than Europe check what immunisation you need and whether you will need to take malaria tablets

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