If you are seriously ill or injured

If you are hospitalised

We aim to contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been admitted to hospital.

We do not usually contact or visit people who have travelled specifically for medical treatment.

If you are in hospital as a result of an assault or other crime, we will visit you as soon as possible.

How you are

In all other cases, we will take account of factors such as your condition, your ability to speak on the phone, whether you have relatives or friends with you, whether you have a tour company representative and the standard of medical facilities, before deciding whether a visit is appropriate.

If we believe a visit appropriate and there is a British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the same city as the hospital which you are in, we aim to visit you within 48 hours of being told that you have gone into hospital.

Contacting your family

If you want, we can also contact your family or friends in the UK to tell them that you are in hospital.

If you want, we can help you to contact with your insurance company or medical evacuation company. Remember to keep any receipts or doctors’ notes in case you need them to make a claim. We may also be able to help you communicate with hospital staff if they do not speak English.

If you have a mental health issues

Facilities and resources available to those experiencing mental health issues, as well as the understanding of these issues, vary in different countries.

Where appropriate, we will do our best to help you find support and advice wherever you are.

Medication

If you need medication, we can provide information on prescribing and dispensing doctors or chemists. We are unable to provide and pay for specialist mental health help, advice or medical supplies.

If you want, we can contact your family and friends in the UK.

If you need hospital treatment overseas for a mental health issue and receive treatment in the UK, we will try to help overseas and UK medical staff to contact each other. Our aim is for relevant information to be shared between those treating you, so that you can receive ongoing support if you return to the UK.

Paying for treatment

Having travel insurance can be very helpful in providing payment for medical treatment. However, there are occasions where it becomes invalid - for instance, if a pre-existing condition is not declared or if the policy does not cover mental health needs. In these cases, you or your family must pay for any treatment.