Advice for Stranded Travellers

posted: 21/04/2010

Some people with HIV, stranded by the air travel chaos following the Icelandic volcano’s ash cloud, are running out of HIV medications. Here’s what to do.

It is very important to provide as much documentation as possible in order to limit the cost to you.

Stuck in the UK?
People with HIV stuck in the United Kingdom who are running out of HIV medication can approach HIV clinics in the UK for medication, but may be charged at the discretion of the clinic. Whether an individual is charged will depend on their country of residence.Find a clinic using NAM's database of services.

If you are from a country in the European Economic Area (European Union plus Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland) you will not be charged, if you produce your European Health Insurance card. If you cannot produce your card, you will be charged and issued with a receipt, and you can claim the cost when you return home. If you do not have this card, you can obtain one from your country's embassy in the United Kingdom, usually within 24 hours.

If you are stuck in the UK but from a country outside the EEA that has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom, you will not be charged if you can show your passport. Countries with reciprocal agreements 

If your stuck in the UK and your country of residence does NOT have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, you will be charged.

Examples of help and BHIVA's advice

In London a number of National Health Service HIV clinics are issuing medication. At the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for example, individuals needing medication can obtain an appointment with an HIV doctor and will receive a prescription for two weeks’ worth of medication.

Policies may vary at other clinics, and British HIV Association chairman Dr Ian Williams is writing to all HIV doctors in the UK to ask them to be flexible if approached by patients who are not registered at their clinic.

In addition to the cost of drugs, some clinics may charge a fee for the consultation with a doctor.

Stuck outside the UK?
People with HIV from the UK who are stranded overseas can approach local HIV clinics or support organisations for help. You can search for organisations and clinics by country here.

What you pay will depend on the country where you are stuck. If you have the European Health Insurance card, you can use this throughout the European Economic Area to obtain whatever is freely available through the local health system. You will have to pay any local costs that would be normally met by local residents from their own pockets or health insurance, such as co-payments on medicines.

A similar situation applies for countries with reciprocal health agreements. You can check the list and find out what is freely available here  and find general advice for British citizens on health care abroad here.

Get an email/fax from your clinic

Your clinic in the UK should be able to provide a letter, by email or fax, to the foreign hospital detailing what treatment you are receiving and what drugs you need - in particular the correct dosages. Many HIV doctors may be away this week, attending the British HIV Association annual conference in Manchester. If you do not have contact details for other staff at your HIV clinic, you can find them here.

An NHS prescription is not valid overseas and you may need to obtain an appointment with a doctor in order to get a foreign prescription, but this will not be the case in all countries. In some countries it you can buy anti-retrovirals from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Source

HIV - the Basics

posted: 13/05/2009

NAM's new information resources, the basics, are now available online. Written in simple, plain English - and in French - the series of ten leaflets covers the top questions people have.

This completely new series of ten illustrated fact sheets covers key health messages and is intended to help in discussions between healthcare workers and people with HIV. Awarded the Crystal Mark by the Plain English Campaign, the simple language and pictures really bring the information to life.

Each leaflet focuses on a few key facts, and uses simple language and colourful diagrams to make the information accessible and useful.

The leaflets can be used by individuals as an introduction to HIV healthcare issues.

Available in English and in French, the basics are free to download and print - and NAM welcome your feedback on them.

Leaflets

• HIV and the immune system
• 7 ways to look after your health
• CD4 and Viral Load
• An HIV Treatment Journey
• When should I start treatment?
• How Treatment Works
• Undetectable Viral Load
• Taking Drugs on Time
• Side Effects
• Having a Baby

Copies for clinics and groups
 

If you work in a UK clinic or support group, these leaflets are available to order in bulk as part of the free booklet scheme. Please call Rose at NAM on 020 7840 0060 or email her for details.

English Basics leaflets

French Basics leaflets