Organisation reveals they often receive alerts from panicked travellers who have headed off on holiday – only to realise they have left vital prescriptions like inhalers, insulin, blood pressure tablets, or other needed medications at home.
Lanarkshire holidaymakers are being warned not to let a simple mistake turn into a stressful health scare by forgetting their essential medicines when they travel away from home.
NHS 24 reveals that they often receive alerts from panicked travellers who have headed off on holiday – only to realise they have left vital prescriptions like inhalers, insulin, blood pressure tablets, or other needed medications at home.
Dr John McAnaw, associate clinical director at NHS 24, said: “It happens more frequently than you might think.
“People arrive at their destination ready to enjoy themselves, then suddenly realise their medicine is still at home. It can quickly turn a relaxing break into a stressful one.”
Missing doses of medicine, even for a short time, can have a real impact – particularly for people managing long-term health conditions.
Therefore, NHS 24 is urging people to take a moment before they travel, whether it’s a fortnight abroad or a weekend away, to check they have everything they need.
Dr McAnaw added: “It doesn’t matter if you are jetting off to Jamaica or camping in the Cairngorms.
“Remember to take your medicine with you as it might not be easy to replace when you get there, especially if you are in an unfamiliar or remote area.”
As part of its summer campaign, NHS 24 is promoting its Pack, Plan, Protect messaging.
“That means packing essential medicine, planning ahead with remedies for any health needs such as bites, stings, or hay fever, and protecting yourself and loved ones during any spells of hot weather.
“Before you head off on your summer adventure, just take a moment to check you’ve packed what you need,” advises Dr McAnaw.
“Make sure in advance that you’ve got enough medicine for your whole trip, keep it somewhere easy to reach such as your hand luggage, and check how it should be stored – especially in warm weather.
“These are really easy steps, but they can save you a lot of hassle at a time when you should be enjoying yourself on your well-earned break.”
For more summer health tips from NHS 24, visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/summer
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