Essential items for travel

Check-ups

The most important thing to take on holiday is you - in the best health possible. If you've been putting off a dental check-up or any other routine medical matters, consider dealing with these before you leave. Medical and dental care outside Europe may not meet EU standards and can be expensive.

First aid kit

You may want to select items for a custom-built first aid kit depending on your own needs and the sort of holiday you are going on. But a typical one might contain:

• Plasters or adhesive dressings
• Insect repellent
• Antiseptic cream
• Water sterilisation tablets
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets
• Oral rehydration tablets or powders
• Painkillers
• Calamine lotion
• Sunblock

Emergency medical travel kits are available, containing sealed, sterilised items such as needles, syringes and suture materials. Your GP or local travel centre can advise you further.

These kits should carry identification to ensure customs officials accept them, but the contents shouldn't be opened.

Medication

Remember to pack enough of any medications you're currently taking to last the whole period away. If you are going for a longer period you may need to take an extra prescription from your doctor. Make a note of the non-branded, generic name of each of the medications so you can get hold of it easily abroad.

Don't forget your malaria tablets, if required, as well as over-the-counter remedies.

Travel insurance

Make sure your travel insurance is up to date. Take the documents with you - and don't forget the insurer's emergency phone number. Keep a photocopy of the policy separate from your important documents, in case of theft. If you have complex medical needs you might also want to know the address of the nearest hospital or specialist in the area you are travelling to.

Take any relevant vaccination or immunisation certificates, in case you're asked to present them at a clinic or customs. For example some countries require proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

Cardiovascular diseases account for around half of travellers' deaths overseas. If you're at risk, get a physical examination from your GP. Also make sure your travel health insurance covers pre-existing conditions.

If you're the adventurous type, check your insurance covers you for all extreme pursuits. Not all policies cover activities such as mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, motorcycle riding and white-water rafting.

In Europe

If you're travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to free or reduced-cost medical treatment.

An EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip. It gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in that country.