We offer a full travel advice and NHS immunisation service. Please choose a topic to see more information.
Before you travel, it’s important to find out whether you will need vaccinations for the country you’re visiting. The following websites will help you.
Travelling In Pregnancy
Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of nausea and vomiting and feeling very tired during these early stages. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in the first 3 months, whether you’re travelling or not. So, many women find the best time to travel or take a holiday is in mid-pregnancy, between 4 and 6 months.
With pregnant women there are increase risks for long distance travel including increased DVT risk for long haul flights, limited access to adequate health care in some areas, Zika virus reported in many countries, most malaria tabs and some vaccines contraindicated in pregnancy.
We advise that women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not book travel outside Europe without first booking to speak with one of our nurses.
Why We Don’t Provide ‘Fit to Fly’ Letters
While we’d love to help with all your travel preparations, providing a letter that certifies you as ‘fit to fly’ falls outside the scope of NHS General Practice. Here’s why:
The Final Decision is the Airline’s: The decision on whether you are fit to fly rests solely with the airline. They have their own medical advisors and specific criteria. A letter from your GP may not be accepted by the airline as proof of fitness.
The responsibility for travel decisions lies with the patient and the airline.
Specialist Knowledge: Assessing a person’s fitness to fly, especially with a pre-existing medical condition, requires specialist training in aviation medicine. Your GP is a general medical expert, not an aviation medical specialist.
Medical Indemnity: Our medical indemnity does not cover us to provide this specialist travel advice.
What We Can Provide Instead
While we cannot provide a ‘fit to fly’ letter, we can, at your request, provide you with a brief statement of fact.
This is a letter that will simply state:
- Your diagnosed medical conditions.
- The medication you are currently prescribed.
This letter will not offer an opinion on your fitness to travel. It is your responsibility to check with your airline if this type of factual letter will be acceptable to them.
Please note: Providing this letter is considered non-NHS work, and a fee will be charged for this service. Please ask our reception team for information on the current fee and how long it will take to prepare the letter.
What You Should Do If You Need a ‘Fit to Fly’ Letter
If your airline has specifically requested a ‘fit to fly’ certificate, here’s what you should do:
For Patients Under Hospital Care: If you are currently under the care of a hospital specialist for your condition, they are the most appropriate person to provide information about your fitness to fly. Please contact their secretary to request this.
Contact Your Airline First: Check with your airline to see if they have their own specific form or require a letter from a private travel clinic.
Private Travel Clinics: You will need to contact a private healthcare provider that specialises in travel medicine. These clinics can perform the necessary assessments and provide you with the correct documentation. You can find these services by searching online for “private fit to fly letters” or “aviation medicine specialists”.
For Pregnant Patients: If you are pregnant, your midwife or obstetrician may be able to provide the necessary information. Please contact them directly. We do not provide these.
More information for pregnant patients wishing to fly:
- In most airlines, patients do not need to see their GP if flying when less than 28 weeks pregnant.
- Patient who are over 28 weeks, but less than 37 weeks may need a letter to confirm that they are fit to fly. You can request this from your midwife or consultant. Some airlines may have a specific form/certificate that is required to complete, and it is the patient’s responsibility to organise this.
- All flights must usually be completed by week 37 of the pregnancy
- It is advisable that pregnant patients know their blood type and ensure they have valid trave insurance and that the airline policy covers a newborn should delivery take place.
- Pregnant patients should be advised to wear correctly fitted compression stockings whilst flying as well as keeping well hydrated during the flight.
“Pregnant women should be informed that long-haul air travel is associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis although whether there is additional risk during pregnancy is unclear. The general population wearing correctly fitted compression stockings is effective at reducing the risk”. Further guidance on staying well whilst travelling when pregnant is available on the NHS website.