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People with diabetes are able to have holidays and travel abroad in the same way as everyone else, but you need to plan ahead in more detail.

Diabetes and Travel

Make sure you do not travel abroad without medical insurance, and check the policy to ensure and make sure it dose not exclude “pre-existing conditions”. If in doubt, check with your insurance company.

Ensure that you have an E111 form when travelling to an EU country.

If you are travelling across time zones, you may need to adjust your insulin. Discuss this with your diabetes team before you leave the UK. Your flight times will be required for this.

You should ensure that you have diabetes identification in the form of a card or identity jewellery. You may also need a travel letter explaining the need to carry needles if you are flying, available from the diabetes centre. Some airlines insist on keeping hold of equipment such as syringes and insulin pens during the flight.

Passengers travelling to the USA must contact the airline carrier in advance to confirm policies on carrying syringes, insulin pens and lancets. Letters from medical staff are no longer acceptable when travelling to the USA.

Carry all of your diabetes equipment in your hand luggage so that it is never separated from you. Do not put insulin in with your checked-in luggage as it may freeze in the hold of the plane, which will damage the insulin.

Insulin should be kept cool and out of direct sunlight. A cool bag is useful for this but not essential.

Take enough supplies of medication and equipment, and allow for any delays or mishaps that may that might occur during travel or whilst on holiday.

Take some snacks and drinks with you, for example fruit juice, sandwiches, teacakes etc.

Never walk bare foot when on holiday especially on hot sand.

Always use appropriate Sun Protection Factor cream, a minimum of SPF 15 should be used and keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

If you are unsure what to do whilst ill on holiday, especially in relation to upset stomach, seek advice from your diabetes team.

Most of all enjoy your holiday!!

Easy Read Information

People with diabetes are able to have holidays and travel abroad in the same way as everyone else but you need to plan ahead in more detail.

Travelling with Diabetes

People with diabetes are able to have holidays and travel abroad in the same way as everyone else, but you need to plan ahead in more detail.

Make sure you do not travel abroad without medical insurance, and check the policy to ensure and make sure it dose not exclude “pre-existing conditions”. If in doubt, check with your insurance company.

Ensure that you have an E111 form when travelling to an EU country.

If you are travelling across time zones, you may need to adjust your insulin. Discuss this with your diabetes team before you leave the UK. Your flight times will be required for this.

You should ensure that you have diabetes identification in the form of a card or identity jewellery. You may also need a travel letter explaining the need to carry needles if you are flying, available from the diabetes centre. Some airlines insist on keeping hold of equipment such as syringes and insulin pens during the flight.

Passengers travelling to the USA must contact the airline carrier in advance to confirm policies on carrying syringes, insulin pens and lancets. Letters from medical staff are no longer acceptable when travelling to the USA.

Carry all of your diabetes equipment in your hand luggage so that it is never separated from you. Do not put insulin in with your checked-in luggage as it may freeze in the hold of the plane, which will damage the insulin.

Insulin should be kept cool and out of direct sunlight. A cool bag is useful for this but not essential.

Take enough supplies of medication and equipment, and allow for any delays or mishaps that may that might occur during travel or whilst on holiday.

Take some snacks and drinks with you, for example fruit juice, sandwiches, teacakes etc.

Never walk bare foot when on holiday especially on hot sand.

Always use appropriate Sun Protection Factor cream, a minimum of SPF 15 should be used and keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

If you are unsure what to do whilst ill on holiday, especially in relation to upset stomach, seek advice from your diabetes team.

Most of all enjoy your holiday!!

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