TRAVELLERS RISKING THEIR HEALTH BY NOT SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE

Twenty per cent of people who leave the UK with little or no travel advice are putting their health at risk, says an expert who is coming to Mid Wales to lead a study day later this month.

  "Another big problem is people travelling to malarial areas and choosing not to take their tablets," said Norma Evans, an experienced independent specialist nurse in travel health and immunisation. "They are putting themselves at high risk."

  Norma will be giving primary care teams a travel health update at the study day organised by the Institute of Rural Health (IRH) on April 29 at Gregynog, near Newtown .

  Designed to update the knowledge and skills of doctors and practice nurses, the event will focus on challenging travellers, including backpackers and others who don't know where their travels will take them, the elderly, pregnant mums-to-be, children and people with diabetes.

  "I am going to be focusing on each one in detail as well as identifying sources of online help for doctors and nurses," explained Norma, who lives in Warrington . "Travel medicine changes daily and doctors and nurses need to be constantly kept up to date.

  "The world is now a much smaller place and we would like to think that there are very few occasions when we would advise people not to travel. We want people to travel but to be aware of all the health risks.

  "A huge problem is that people often seek advice from their doctors and nurses a couple of days before they travel, which does not give vaccinations enough time to work fully. Ideally they should seek advice up to six weeks before they travel."

  Particularly challenging travellers, she added, were those going abroad on business, on high risk adventure holidays and to work with charities in areas that expose them to higher health risk.

  "My advice is to book an appointment with your doctor or practice nurse when you book your annual leave or as soon as you know you are travelling and to heed the advice that you are given, as they will have the latest travel health information," said Norma.

  One of the major recent advances in travel medicine, she added, was the availability of an anti-malaria tablet for children.

  After working as a ward sister in hospital intensive care units, Norma joined British Airways where she developed an interest over 12 years in travel medicine and the health of the returning traveller.

  Returning to nursing, she established several travel clinics in General Practice before achieving a BSc in Community Health Care Nursing and becoming a travel health nurse adviser and national manager.

  To book a place or to receive more information about the study day, contact Mrs Ann Whale, IRH Health training co-ordinator, on Tel: 01686 650800 or e-mail annw@rural-health.ac.uk.

  The IRH is an organisation dedicated to optimising health and well being in rural communities across the UK .

(10/4/04)