Repatriation

Repatriation means being returned to your country of origin.

Not nice to think about is the possible need to use the repatriation policy for you, or your dear departed.

You've had a fantastic holiday and you've arrived home safely and all in one piece.

The last place you'd expect to find yourself visiting is the doctor's - but you should if you -

• feel feverish - especially if you've visited a country that's a malaria hotspot;
• suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, urinary disorders, skin disease or genital infection
• think you could have been exposed to a serious infectious disease while travelling
• have spent more than three months in a developing country
• suffer from a chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease

Let your doctor know exactly where you've been, what you got up to while you were away and the length of your stay.

If you travel abroad a lot, give details of all journeys you've been on in the previous weeks and months.

Public - V - Private Medical Insurance

Your troubles may not all be over even when you reach (or fly over) the shores of good old Blighty and into A&E.

Sadly the disintegration of the National Health Service - once the envy of the world - seems to be taking place before our very eyes, not only that, most UK doctors are not insured - they have almost useless "discressionary cover" for negligence.

Only 44% of British adults have an NHS dentist, for instance.

The remainder goes private or wears dentures, presumably.

Being without a dentist is certainly not good if your flown home with a tooth absess more painfull to witness than the scene from "The Graduate".

Not surprising then that many people are turning to professional health and cosmetic surgery abroad.

Loss of a comprehensive NHS

The reason for the NHS's fall from grace are too numerous to mention and why increasing numbers are costing out private health care for when ill health occurrs - at home, at the time-share, villa or hotel even.

Take your pick from what may greet you as you move from a clean and cosy French or Spanish hospital -

• waiting times
• waiting lists
• shortage of beds
• shortage of nurses
• shortages of doctors
• dirty wards
• flesh-eating bugs

Florence Nightingale, pioneer of clean hospital wards, where are you now? Whatever the reason, more people are opting for private health insurance.

Sometimes these private medical health policies will cover you outwith the UK on your travels abroad.

If you already have private medical insurance, it's worth enquiring about travel cover - it may already be included.

• BUPA (British United Provident Association) is one of the country's biggest providers of health insurance, has around 3 million customers in the UK
• It was formed in 1947 and is the largest healthcare company in the UK with 42% of the current market.
• It offers members and non-members discounts on annual and single trip travel insurance.
• Visit BUPA International website for health advice on destinations around the globe.