http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Practicalissues/Travel

This section has been written to help anyone who has, or has had cancer and
would like to travel.

Difficulties with travel can often be avoided by good planning, and this
information aims to help you avoid or overcome any problems, so that you can
enjoy your travels and have a stress-free break.

It is important that you (and any health professionals looking after you)
consider any potential health problems and make a thorough and realistic
assessment of whether or not you are well enough to travel.

   *      Cancer
   *      Cancer treatment
   *      Travel services
   *      Travel and medical conditions
   *      Health care in the UK
   *      Medical conditions
   *      Health care abroad
   *      Getting travel insurance
   *      Vaccinations and immunisations
   *      Avoiding health problems
   *      Taking care in the sun
   *      Taking medicines abroad
   *      If you have a stoma
   *      Checklist
   *      Organisations
   *      Travel insurance

Health care while travelling abroad

   * In the EU
   * Outside the EU
   * E112
   * Costs of treatment
   * Contacting relatives if necessary
   * Hospice and support services abroad

In the EU

If you are travelling within the European Union, you are entitled to free or
reduced-cost emergency medical treatment if you have a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC). You can get an application form for a European Health
Insurance card from:

   * post offices
   * by phoning 0845 606 2030
   * or online at www.ehic.org.uk

If applying by phone you will need to give the name, date of birth and
National Insurance number for each person you are applying for, so it can help
to have this information ready. It can take up to three weeks for the EHIC
card to arrive if you apply by post. It should be quicker if you apply by
phone (up to 10 days) or online (up to seven days). Keep the card safe,
preferably with your passport, when you are travelling.

Detailed information about the EHIC is available on the Department of Health
website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers and in the booklet Health advice for
travellers, which is available from Post Offices. There is also information on
what is involved in getting treatment abroad in each country. This information
also has a list of non-EU countries which have some agreement to provide
emergency medical treatment to people from the UK. These include Australia,
New Zealand, the Channel Islands, some Caribbean islands, and most republics
of the former Soviet Union.

Outside the EU

In all other countries you will have to pay the full cost of any health care
that you have if you become ill. You are strongly advised to take out full
medical insurance to cover the cost of any treatment. Even in countries where
the UK has health care agreements, you will need a certain amount of
insurance.

The High Commission, Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting
should be able to give you information on the health care services available.

E112

If you know that you will need to have treatment during your time abroad, such
as blood tests, medicines or injections, you will need to take form E112 with
you. This applies in EU and non-EU countries. You can get form E112 from:

Department of Health – International Branch
Room 542A
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS

Tel: 020 7210 4850

You will need to send:

   * a letter giving details of the treatment needed, and the dates of travel

   * supporting medical evidence from your GP
   * a copy of your European Health Insurance Card - EHIC (if travelling in
the EU).

Form E112 is only available where there is a need for on-going treatment. The
form has to be approved by the Department of Health and is not available on a
‘just in case’ basis.

It is necessary to make arrangements for transport, medical care and equipment
loans abroad before you travel. It can be helpful to take a letter from your
doctor containing a medical summary.

Costs of treatment

If you need to claim refunds for the cost of health care abroad, you need to
apply (in person or by post) to the relevant authority in the country you are
visiting. You must enclose the original invoices and documents.

If you wait to claim once you have returned to the UK, you should apply to the
Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate (MED) who will liaise with the
authorities of the other countries on your behalf (for contact details see the
Health advice for travellers booklet, available from post offices). The costs
will be refunded from the other country, but this may take a while to arrange.

Contacting relatives if necessary

Keep the names and addresses of friends and relatives with your passport so
that British Consular officials can contact them if their help is needed. If
you need to return to the UK quickly, contact British Consular officials. They
can usually arrange this for you, but you may need to pay the costs.

Hospice and support services abroad

The Hospice Information Service can give you information about hospice and
palliative care services abroad.