26 Jun 2024
Manage your medicines – NHS 24 advice for people travelling this summer.
NHS 24 is reminding the public to be prepared with their prescription medicines ahead of travelling this summer. Forming part of their summer health campaign, the advice emphasises the importance of planning ahead to ensure that everyone has their necessary medicines available, whether travelling within the UK or abroad.
NHS 24’s tips for travelling with prescribed medicines include:
Order in advance: Check you have enough medicine to cover the length of your trip. If you need more, order only what you need and allow enough time for GP practices and pharmacies to process the request.
Remember to pack them: Even if you are planning to stay away from home for just one night, remember to take your prescribed medicines with you.
Know the rules for overseas travel: If travelling abroad, check the destination country’s regulations regarding medicines. Some medicines that are legal and commonly used in Scotland might be restricted or even banned elsewhere.
Be aware of NHS 24’s Accessing Medicines Guide: Should you run out of your medicines in Scotland, the accessing medicines guide on NHS inform and the NHS 24 Online app provides valuable information on how to help source the medicines you need.
Dr John McAnaw, Associate Clinical Director at NHS 24, said,
“Summer is a time for relaxation and adventure, but it’s also a time when we must be mindful of our health.
“Every year our 111 service receives calls from people who are understandably stressed after forgetting to take their essential medicines with them when travelling away from home.
“Whether you are staying overnight with a friend, enjoying a weekend away, or exploring somewhere out the country, it is vital that you make your prescribed medicines a priority part of your travel preparations. Make your trip as worry-free as possible by taking the time now to pop your prescribed medicines on your holiday ‘to-do’ list.”
View more summer health tips from NHS 24 by visiting https://www.nhsinform.scot/summer.
Contact Information
Gillian Morrison
Communications Manager - External
NHS 24
gillian.morrison@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk
- During office hours: NHS24.hqcommunications@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk (NHS 24 Communications Team)
- Out of hours: 0330 123 3241 (duty press officer)
About us
We are Scotland’s provider of digital and telephone-based health and care services. Our services include:
- 111 – providing urgent care triage for anyone who thinks they need A&E, but it is not life or limb threatening, support for those in mental health distress and advice when their GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.
- NHSinform.scot - Scotland's online health information service that offers quality assured health and care information including - Symptom checker, Scotland’s Service Directory and Mental health advice and resources.
- Breathing Space a free and confidential phone and web chat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression, or anxiety.
- Care Information Scotland (CIS) a phone, webchat and website service providing information about care services for people living in Scotland.
- Quit Your Way Scotland an advice and support service for anyone trying to stop smoking in Scotland.
- Living Life a phone service that offers support to people in Scotland who are experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression or symptoms of anxiety through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
NHS 24 Online app
Our app ‘NHS 24 Online’ provides people in Scotland an additional channel to find out more about their symptoms, how to safely self-manage illnesses and conditions, and when and where to see further medical advice if required. NHS 24 Online is free and can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices.
Social media
For more details on our services, including current campaigns and recruitment, have a look at our social media: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.
Recruitment
For all applicants hoping to join the organisation, our careers section of our website provides key information including:
- links to current vacancies
- videos of staff discussing their roles
- details of the recruitment process
- benefits of working for NHS 24 and top tips for a successful application.
Accessibility
Work is continually ongoing to ensure our services are accessible.
You can access 111 in diverse ways:
- Language Line - If English is not your first or preferred language, you can use the free interpretation service Language Line.
- British Sign Language (BSL) - If you use BSL, you can use the free BSL interpreting video relay service Contact Scotland BSL.
- Relay UK. - If you use a textphone you can contact NHS 24 on 18001 111. Or you can contact NHS 24 with the Relay UK app.
NHS inform provides health information online in 24 different languages, British Sign Language (BSL), Audio, Easy Read, and Large Print. For more information on this see: nhsinform.scot/translations/
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