The Jersey Traveller's Guide to Health

Download the leaflet by clicking on the link below The Jersey Traveller's Guide to Health

Part One - Introduction

No matter where you are travelling, the cost of medical treatment may not be fully covered by health care agreements. Make sure you have enough private medical insurance.

Losing your luggage is not the worst thing that could happen to you when you are abroad. If you become ill or have an accident on a business trip or holiday, it may not only be unpleasant and expensive - it could be fatal.

This leaflet tells you what to do before, during and after your trip to minimise risk. The advice is to help you protect your health, and to cope with any emergency that may arise.

Most holidays and business trips go without a hitch. But it’s best to be prepared!

Paying for medical treatment abroad

How much you need to pay depends on the country you are visiting and if there is any free or reduced cost medical treatment.

Even if the country you are visiting has a reciprocal agreement with Jersey, you are advised to take out Medical Insurance as there is always likely to be some charge.

Your travel agent will advise how much cover you will need, including enough for the cost of travelling home in an emergency.

Please read this leaflet carefully as it contains important advice to help you minimise the risk of becoming ill whilst abroad.

How to use this leaflet

This leaflet is a general guide only, and should not be treated as a statement of the law or a complete guide on medical matters. For more details on a particular country, ask the Embassy or High Commission for that country.

There are two types of Country:

• those who do not have a health care agreement with Jersey, and
• those who do have a health care agreement with Jersey. Please note, you may need documents to prove your entitlement in these countries (see Part Three, ‘Countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements’)

Part Two - Before you go

Plan well ahead

Find out about the health risks in the country you are visiting, the precautions you can take and check on the vaccinations you need.

You can get more information from your travel agent, and the country’s Embassy or High Commision in London.

See a doctor at least 3 months before you leave (particularly if you are pregnant or if you have suffered from any previous health problems).

If you require vaccinations or antimalarial tablets, make an appointment with your GP.

Allow yourself plenty of time as some of the vaccinations take time to take effect and some cannot be given at the same time.

Tell your doctor where you are going and if you are taking children with you. This is particularly important if they have not had their full course of childhood vaccinations.

You may need your doctor’s advice, but you may be able to obtain some medication from chemists without prescription, for instance antimalarial tablets.

If you are taking any regular medicines please check you have a sufficient supply to last during your holiday. If you are unable to carry that amount of medicines with you, please check with your GP on how you can obtain further supplies whilst abroad.

Carrying medicines to another country

If you intend to carry medicines, whether prescribed ones or not, you need to know if you can legally take them in and out of Jersey and other countries. Check with the Embassy of the country you are travelling to on their drug laws, and with the Jersey Customs Office (phone 448000). Carry a letter from your doctor giving details of medicines prescribed. This will help you get through British Customs when you return.

Illegal drugs

Avoid any involvement with addictive drugs while you are abroad. Apart from the major risks, using or carrying drugs may get you massive fines, long prison sentences in grim conditions or even the death penalty.

Have a dental check-up

See your dentist if you will be away for more than a short time and you have any doubts about your teeth. It may be difficult and expensive to get treatment while you are away. Also, in some countries, there may be the risk of contracting a ‘blood borne’ disease such as AIDS or Hepatitis B.

Diseases and Precautions

Note 1: If you are not sure if you need an HIV antibody test certificate, contact the country’s Embassy or High Commission in London.

(Smallpox has been wiped out worldwide and you do not need to get vaccinated.)

Malaria Warning

In many parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, you can get malaria if an infected mosquito bites you.

Even if you have previously lived in one of these countries, you can lose your immunity after a few years. And if your children were born in Britain they have no immunity at all.

If you are going to visit or travel through, or even stop over in a malarial country - Ask your doctor or pharmacist about antimalarial tablets.

It is important that you and your children strictly follow the instructions which you will find on the antimalarial tablet box. You would normally take the tablets before you travel, during your stay and for four weeks after your return.

Some tablets may produce side effects. If you suffer from any ill effects whilst taking antimalarial tablets, seek medical advice immediately.

In addition you should take as many precautions as possible to avoid being bitten during your stay, for example:

Use the appropriate insect repellent.

Keep your arms, legs ankles and feet covered after sunset.

Sleep in properly screened rooms and use the appropriate spray to kill any mosquitoes in the room.

Use a mosquito net around your bed at night and spray it with the insecticide at least 1 hour before retiring.

Remember , none of these precautions gives complete protection against malaria. Some forms are caught, and take hold very quickly. If you have a fever or feel ill while abroad, or within the first few months after returning you must see a doctor at once. Remember to tell the doctor that you have returned from a country where there is Malaria.

Insure your Health

Even when you have had all the immunisations and drugs you need, remember that there are many other hazards.

Make sure you have enough insurance to cover all these expenses. Health insurance is very often one of the last items on the holiday checklist and yet it is essential.

Many travellers forget that they may have to pay thousands of pounds in medical costs if they get ill or have an accident while abroad.

Even in countries covered by these agreements, the medical arrangements do not cover everything. The cover given under local schemes is not always as full as in Jersey. The countries which have agreements with Jersey are listed in Part Three.

If you are travelling on business, your company will probably already have an insurance policy which covers you for all foreign trips. Check that you have enough - if not, take out extra insurance.

Cover yourself against big expenses arising from:

• countries not having a reciprocal agreement with Jersey, in particular Canada and the USA, and many countries in Europe;
• being taken across a border to the nearest hospital which could be in a country that does not have a reciprocal agreement with Jersey;
• countries shown in the checklists as giving only partial cover, or where you would have to pay some of the cost yourself.

The cost of bringing a sick person back to Jersey is never covered under the health agreements we have with other countries.

If you are driving and you have an accident, you may not be covered for any medical treatment you may need. So do not forget to talk to your insurance company, or a motoring organisation before you leave Jersey.

And finally - no matter where you are going - always check that you have enough insurance cover. Your travel agent, insurance company or broker will be able to advise you.

Have a good and a safe trip.

Part Three - While you are away

Holiday Health Checklist

Have a small first aid kit with you andtake extra care with food and drink.

Many infections can be prevented so:-

• Always wash your hands after going to the lavatory, before handling food and before eating.
• If you have any doubts about the drinking water, boil it, sterilise it with suitable antiseptic tablets or drink bottled water and store it in sealed containers. This applies to water for food preparation and cleaning teeth as well. Carbonated (fizzy) bottled water is safer than still bottled water as it is unlikely to have been refilled from the tap.
• Avoid ice unless you are sure it is made from safe water. This applies to ice used to keep food and butter cool as well as in drinks. Drinks can always be cooled in the fridge. Hot tea or coffee, wine, beer, carbonated (fizzy) soft drinks and bottled or packaged fruit juices are usually safe to drink.
• Eat freshly cooked food which is thoroughly cooked and still hot.
• Avoid uncooked food unless you can peel it or shell it yourself,
• Avoid food which has been kept warm or has been exposed to flies.
• Fish and shellfish are suspect in some countries. Uncooked shellfish, for example oysters, are particularly dangerous. Avoid them unless they have been properly purified.
• Avoid ice cream from unreliable sources.
• Avoid or boil unpasteurised milk and unpasteurised milk products e.g. cheese.
• Remember water in swimming pools may be contaminated.

Heat exhaustion

If you rush about and exert yourself too much in a hot climate you will sweat a lot, and your body will lose too much fluid and salt. This can cause dizziness and nausea. You may be able to prevent this by taking extra salt, drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluid and wearing loose, lightweight clothing.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), are a serious threat to health throughout the world.

The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (including HIV) from intercourse abroad is generally higher than in Jersey. HIV is currently prevalent in Africa, Thailand and some parts of India and South America.

The appropriate use of condoms offers good but never complete protection against sexually transmitted infections.

If you think you have been infected, see a doctor at once.

Skin piercing

It is unwise to have your skin pierced (as in acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing and so on) unless you are sure the equipment used is sterile.

If you suffer from any serious medical conditions, for example diabetes, angina or haemophilia, you should carry a note with you. You should also keep a note of any medicine you are taking and remember to use the proper names not just the trade names.

Take Care in The Sun

More than anything, holidaymakers go abroad to find the sun. However, the sun may be more powerful than in Jersey. Take care not to over-expose yourself or your children (particularly your baby), especially in the early days.

The sun can burn your skin painfully, or even dangerously. It may also cause your body to overheat. Wear a sun hat or scarf, use protective creams on all exposed skin and see that you drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquid to make up for body fluid loss through sweating.

Wear loose clothing and always have plenty of fluid available to drink.

... and in the Water

• Bathing in the sea or in a swimming pool will cool you - but it won’t protect you from sunburn, so you still need to wear a protective cream.
• Fatal accidents can easily happen and often in the most unexpected conditions.
• Children should be supervised by an adult who can swim well; even adults should watch out for each other when in the water.
• Never leave young children on their own near any pool or water tank.
• Learn about resuscitation (artificial respiration and heart massage).
• Do not dive into cold water to cool down. This can cause heart failure, so enter the water gradually.
• Do not swim after drinking alcohol as this could affect your ability in the water.
• Each year a number of people are permanently paralysed by injuries caused by diving into shallow water.

... and on the Road

Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death among travellers and many of these accidents involve alcohol. Remember to check the local traffic regulations, the condition of the hire car and your insurance.

Always wear your seat belts and DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE just because you are on holiday.

Rabies Kills

Rabies is a serious problem all over the world. If you contract this disease it is fatal.

You can get rabies if you are bitten, scratched or even licked by an infected dog, cat, fox, monkey, bat or other animal. So be careful not to touch animals, especially wild or stray ones.

If you are bitten or scratched while abroad:

• Wash the wound at once. Use soap or detergent, or flush with clean water.
• Put methylated alcohol or spirits on the wound if possible.
• Get medical help - fast. Go to the nearest doctor or hospital. You may need a rabies vaccination, and the course of injections should be started as soon as possible. If you have problems getting treatment, contact the British Consul.
• If possible the animal that bit you should be kept under observation for the next two weeks. Remember to exchange name, address and telephone numbers with the person who is responsible for the animal.
• Write down all relevant details to include the date, the place and a description of the animal.
• Tell the local police.
• If you have been bitten, see your doctor as soon as you get back to Jersey, even if you were treated abroad.

You can be vaccinated against rabies before you travel. However, this is only necessary if you may be exposed to unusual risks of being infected, or you are making especially long journeys in remote parts, where medical treatment may not be immediately available.

Even if you have been vaccinated you still need treatment if you are bitten by an infected animal.

Remember Jersey is still rabies-free. Do not bring any animals into Jersey without a licence. It is illegal, could put other people’s lives at risk and the penalties are severe.

HIV and AIDS

HIV / AIDS is now a world-wide problem. Aids is caused by the HIV virus and at present there is no vaccine but treatment is continually improving.

There are two main ways of contracting the virus:

• Having sex with an infected man or woman.
• When body fluid contaminated by the virus gets into your body.

The virus can also be passed by an infected mother to her baby before, during or after childbirth and by breastfeeding. Remember people can infect others even if they look and feel completely well.

On your trip abroad it makes sense to protect yourself:

• If you do have sex with anyone else other than your usual partner always use a condom. Take a supply with you if you think you may need them; they may not be easy to purchase and may be of inferior quality.
• Remember, in some countries many prostitutes are infected with the HIV virus.
• Take care not to share needles and equipment as this is a major cause of the HIV virus spreading.
• In some countries, blood for transfusions is not screened for the virus. But it may be possible to get screened blood. Ask the doctor treating you or if necessary contact the local British Consul. Needles and other equipment may not always be properly sterilised in some countries. If you are worried about being able to get sterile needles and syringes for medical treatment abroad, you can buy an emergency travel kit. You can order one from your pharmacist.

If you can:

• Try to avoid medical and dental treatment involving surgery, blood transfusions or injections - especially in countries where infections such as HIV may be spread by this type of treatment.
• Have enough private insurance cover so if there is a serious emergency you can be brought home as soon as possible.

Jersey AIDS Helpline

If you are worried about AIDS and would like to talk to someone in confidence you can call the Jersey AIDS Helpline any time, free of charge.

Telephone 0800 7350185

National Sexual Health & AIDS Helpline

Telephone 0800 567123

Getting Emergency Medical Treatment

If you need emergency medical treatment while you are away, you may have to pay the partial or total cost. It depends on the country you are in.

Where there is NOT a reciprocal Health Care Agreement

In countries which do not have health care agreements with Jersey you will need medical insurance. This will help meet your expenses if you need medical care. Before you leave, talk to your travel agent or insurance company to find out how much cover you need.

If you are travelling on business, your employer may have insured you. But don’t assume this, and check whether you need more cover.

If you have already left Jersey, you may be able to arrange insurance cover in the country you are visiting. But you will need to do this before you fall ill.

Where there IS a reciprocal Health Care Agreement

In some countries you can get urgent medical treatment at a lower cost, or even for free. But the range of medical care is often less than you can get in Jersey.

Only urgently needed treatment will be provided. And you will only receive care on the same terms as people who live in that country. This means that if they have to pay for the treatment, so will you. You cannot claim a refund from any Jersey States Department for medical bills from other countries.

You will have to produce a Jersey or UK passport, or a certificate issued by the Jersey Social Security Department to get free or lower cost medical treatment under these agreements. Remember - not all types of treatment will be covered.

Countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

Make sure you know what is available

NB Maximum stay of three months only for treatment under the agreements unless stated otherwise.

If you are going to live or work abroad these health care agreements may not cover you.

For more details contact:

Social Security Department

Philip Le Feuvre House
La Motte Street
St Helier
Jersey
JE4 8PE

Telephone 445505

Part Four - When you come back

If you were given any tablets or medicines abroad it may be illegal to bring them back into Jersey. If you are not sure, declare the drugs at Customs when you come back.

If you have been taking antimalarial tablets abroad, keep taking them as instructed, until you complete the course.

If you become ill tell your doctor which countries you have stayed in or travelled through.

Even if you have been treated and feel well, always see your doctor in Jersey if you have been bitten by an animal, or risked contracting a sexually transmitted infection.

When going to donate blood, tell the blood transfusion staff if you have been to a tropical area or had medical treatment abroad.

If you had medical treatment whilst abroad give your GP the relevant details. Remember to keep all your receipts and claim on your insurance as soon as possible.

Part Five - Emergency Checklist

This checklist is to give you an idea of what you can do in an emergency. Some of these points will not apply in every situation.

Take this leaflet with you when you travel, it may provide valuable information

Part Six - Further Information

This leaflet gives general information and does not try to give full details on any particular matter. It cannot be treated as a statement of the Law.

Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions about the information contained in this leaflet.

Our staff are here to help you, please telephone us on 445505 or call into our office.

Please note: calls to the Department may be monitored for training purposes.

The Social Security Department is covered by the current Jersey Data Protection (Jersey) Law.

Other leaflets that may be of interest

• Health Scheme
• Students over 18
• Leaving School
• Family Allowance
• Reciprocal Agreement between Jersey and France
• Reciprocal Agreement between Jersey and Portugal

Large print versions of most of our leaflets are available. Please call us on 445505 and we will be happy to send them to you.