HELP PROTECT YOUR PATIENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD
In 2019, before our lives and travel abilities were halted by the pandemic, 93.1million overseas visits were made by UK travellers alone.
By Shirley Nickson, Patient Services Project Developer at Numark
T
his shows how as a nation we have integrated international travel into our lives. It is hoped as mitigation measures
against COVID-19 infection begin to have an impact, global travel will again be opened-up for all and as a result, the demand for travel services will increase.
Given the restrictions that we have faced over the past 12 months, it is expected a spike in travellers readying themselves to go abroad at the earliest available opportunity will begin. At a time when vaccinations are at the forefront of most people’s thoughts, they are increasingly keen to keep themselves protected from infection whilst travelling abroad.
In anticipation of this increased demand pharmacies should be preparing their private travel services so they are ready to support the needs of their customers and communities as they move back towards international travel.
Community pharmacy is ideally located to help protect local communities by raising awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated prior to travel.
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Many people seek health advice before a trip, and since every traveller and every journey is different, guidance must be tailored to the individual. Pharmacists providing travel advice should be able to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment and understand how to interpret and manage risks identified during consultations.
Private Travel Services aim to provide a professional, evidence-based travel health consultation so travellers can make informed decisions on what protection they need for the destination(s) they are visiting.
These services include a full travel health risk assessment, vaccine administration, and provision of treatments including anti-malarials and insect repellents as required. They may also involve the supply of first aid kits and associated PGD services such as travellers’ diarrhoea and period delay treatments.
Throughout the pandemic many people have found it difficult to obtain vaccinations, with many finding themselves overdue for vaccinations that were planned as an initial schedule of vaccines.
As restrictions begin to lift, patients may not only be looking to initiate treatment courses but also complete vaccine schedules.
Numark continues to support members to deliver travel services via a range of resources to take the confusion out of running a successful service. In addition to materials such as, Service Support Packs, Vaccination SOP’s, Training Modules and Webinars – Numark has partnered with PharmaDoctor to provide a rounded portfolio of support with their eTool and integrated PGD offering, to help deliver a high quality and successful service.
For more information, Numark members can visit the Travel Vaccination Service hub page on
www.numarknet.com/pharmacy-services/ private-services/travel-vaccination-service
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https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/ leisureandtourism/articles/traveltrends/2019#:~:text=and%20spe nd%20abroad,There%20were%2093.1%20million%20visits%20over seas%20by%20UK%20residents%20in,notable%20fall%20observed %20in%202009.
PHARMACISTS PROVIDING TRAVEL ADVICE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE RISK ASSESSMENT
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