Handy Hints for Health Travel

1. Keep a Notebook
   At stressful times everything is forgotten, even pin numbers that have been committed to memory for years.  Write down doctors seen & their phone numbers.
   
    
2. Investigate the health condition
   Find out what you can about your condition to enable you to understand more about your possible treatment.  Find out what the terminology means so that you can talk to the medical people on knowledgeable terms.
   
    
3. Join Mailing lists or Support Groups
   Find out their helpful "tips & tricks" for coping
   
    
4. Write down questions to ask the Consultant
   Take a list of the questions you would like to ask.  Make a note of the answers during or after your consultation.  
   
    
5. Plan Ahead
   Think of all the likely pitfalls, and ask for the help of the Health Travel Information Service.  If you or your child have a complicated medical history, you might want to write a summary so that you can provide complete, accurate information to the ward staff / care providers.
   
    
6. Communicating your news
   Your family and friends often want to help in some way. It is a good idea to agree to keep in touch with just a few family and friends, and then ask them to contact other people for you. Let friends help you. It will help them as well as you.
   
    
7. Ask your Doctor or Nurse
   Remember Doctors & Nurses will always help if approached in the right way. They are professional and expert, they want to be able to help you.   Remember also that it is not their fault you or your loved one is ill, so try not to get angry with them.
   
    
8. Photograpic Evidence
   Photographic identity is now required at flight check-in desks. A local driving licence or passport can be used. Please note that the name on your ticket and the name on your identification must be exactly the same.  If you do not have photographic identity an application form for the Guernsey Identification Card is available from SSD, the Police Station or Sarnia Mutual.
   
    
9. Medication
   Remember to take with you any medication you are currently being prescribed.  All medicine must have the dispensing labels attached, and an accompanying letter from your GP or Specialist would be preferable when clearing customs.