UK Nationals
We would remind all urologists planning a trip abroad to arrange all visas, vaccinations and work permits well before travelling. The British Medical Association (BMA, you will need to be a member to gain access) website gives useful information: a link can be found to its pdf to the right. The UK Passport Service (UKPS) website will help with respect to passport applications and useful information is to be found at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website if you lose your passport whilst abroad. Visa requirements will need to be checked with the embassy of the country you are hoping to visit and information about embassies in the UK can also be found on the FCO website.
You will need to take your professional certificates with you and check that the local medical association/government organisation is in agreement with you observing/operating in their hospital and what documentation they require you to take with you. It is essential that you check that your medical indemnity organisation covers you for interactions with patients whilst working in the particular country you are visiting.
It is important to maintain your own safety whilst out of the UK; the FCO will give generic information about political security and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) website will give guidance about health risks in the area you plan to visit. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NTHNC) has useful advice about insect bites, sun protection, food and water hygiene and the management of travellers diorrhoea. The UROLINK leaflet about HIV prophylaxis can be found to your right and information about tropical diseases that you might encounter during your stay can be accessed on the National Centre for Disease Control website. Information about disease outbreaks may be encountered at the WHO site.
Trainees and consultants should either click on the link or push the button towards the top left of this page to access their respective sections.
