By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK, this means we cannot consult with you about any new or pre-existing medical concerns or health problems once you leave the UK for any amount of time. You would be advised to contact a health provider in the country that you are in. In addition, GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.
Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns.1 months’ supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.
Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months’ supply where safe to do so).
They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patient that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on their return.
We sometimes receive requests from patients asking us to prescribe antibiotics to take abroad, with the intention of only using the antibiotic if the patient develops an infection.
We are unable to fulfil these requests as a matter of patient safety. It is not safe to prescribe in anticipation of a potential infection you might develop abroad, as the best treatment will need to be tailored to the specific clinical presentation.
Prescribing antibiotics in advance could lead to under treating an infection, or using the wrong antibiotic, which could be dangerous.
If you are in the unfortunate situation of requiring medical attention while you are outside of the UK, you will need to consult with a local medical professional for appropriate treatment.