Patients Moving Abroad

Anyone who is away from the UK for longer than 3 months needs to make their own healthcare arrangements in the country that they have travelled to. We will deduct patients who are abroad for 3 months or longer. NHS GP’s are not able to send prescriptions abroad, this includes to Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

If a patient is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, all that they are entitled to at NHS expense is a sufficient supply of their regular medication to get to the destination and find an alternative supply of that medication abroad.

GPs are not responsible for the prescribing of ‘just in case’ items for conditions which may arise while abroad or traveling.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad

Going abroad for less than 3 months?

Medication required for a pre-existing condition should be provided in a sufficient quantity. Most prescriptions will cover holiday periods but if a repeat is due during the trip, the GP may be able to give an early repeat (usually one month and no more than three months).​

Where medication requires frequent monitoring (i.e. blood tests, blood pressure etc.), it may not be appropriate for the GP to prescribe for extended periods. Providing a prescription for a longer period is at the GPs discretion.​

Patients may require a letter stating the drug name and condition it is being taken for to prove medicines are for medical use to the patient. This is at the GP’s discretion and may be charged for. 

Patients phoning for advice while abroad

GPs are not legally covered to treat patients who are not currently in the UK, even via a telephone consultation. They could also be breaching local laws and professional regulations of the country where the patient is currently staying. Therefore while patients may call to book appointments, get results etc, they will not be able to have a phone consultation, in any form, from a GP.