Susannah Hickling
is twice winner of
the Guild of
Health Writers Best
Consumer Magazine
Health FeatureC
oncerned about going on
holiday when you’re living
with a long-term health
condition—or even what to do if you
happen to fall ill abroad? Don’t be,
just make sure you plan properly.Consider whether you’re
fit enough to travel
That has to be the number one
question you ask yourself before
packing your bags. Travelling can be
tiring. A much hotter climate than
you’re used to might not be good for
you either if you have certain
conditions, including heart
problems. And research the diseases
you could fall foul of—you don’t
want Montezuma’s revenge in
Mexico if you have colon cancer.Get the right travel insurance
It can be hard to get travel insurance
if you have a chronic condition. You
must declare any pre-existing
condition or you will not be covered.
You may also be refused cover. But
shop around. Comparison sites give
a selection of quotes for pre-existing
illnesses and health charities
covering your condition may have a
list of insurers who will cover you.Don’t forget your EHIC
While we remain in the EU, we
benefit from emergency medical care
on the same basis as residents of the
country we’re visiting. In some
cases, it will cover you when travel
insurance doesn’t, so, for the
moment at least, it could be worth
choosing a European destination for
peace of mind if you have a serious
condition. Just make sure you
present the card when you need
treatment and be aware that you
might have to make top-up
payments for your care or for a46 • AUGUST 2019
Travelling with a serious health condition can be a
challenging task—but it shouldn’t put you off exploring
the world! Here are the main things to consider...
Risk-Proof Travel