Nursing on expeditions and holidays

Contents Experience and qualifications Pre-departure preparation of expedition members Health and welfare of expedition members overseas Expedition medical kits Treatment of the local population

Pre-departure preparation of expedition members

Expedition nurses may be asked to deliver a health brief to expedition members, providing information on potential disease risks in the country to be visited, and advice on avoidance of illness and injury. This may include information on recommended immunisations, antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, health and safety on the camp site, personal medical kits and basic first aid.

Pre-departure screening of expedition members can be invaluable, and provide opportunity to discuss any specific medical problems they may have. It will also enable medical and nursing personnel to be prepared for potential problems that may arise whilst overseas.

An organisation may well have their own system in place for screening expedition members and some may require an assurance from the member's GP that there are no known medical problems that would jeopardise the expedition or expose the individual to unacceptable health risks.