NHS Policy
By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. 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.
The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.
Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.
Grove Surgery Policy
Travelling abroad for less than 3 months
Patients who inform the practice that they will be out of the country for less than 3 months will be provided with sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes, hypertension etc.) 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.
Only 1 months’ supply will be issued for drugs that are normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.
Travelling abroad for more than 3 months
For patients who inform us that they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months, we will prescribe sufficient medication to enable them to arrange for replacement once they are abroad– this can be up to 3 months’ supply where safe prescribe.
They will also be removed from the practice patient list. We will be happy to re-register patients upon their return to the UK. Patients can be reassured that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference for when they return.
Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.
Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad.
GPs will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses; for example, antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.
GPs may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.
Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that countries embassy before you travel.