Covid-19 and foreign travel.
Date sent: Monday 9 March 2020
All Somerset Practice Managers
Dear Colleagues
The LMC is aware that some patients are approaching practices for letters supporting a decision not to travel abroad owing to the Covid-19 outbreak citing for travel insurance reasons. This is often because patients are worried about having an pre-existing condition and so being more at risk from the virus. Colleagues may feel sympathy in such cases but there is no point in issuing such letters. If the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a travel restriction on a country or territory then insurers are normally obliged to pay out under the terms of the policy. If the local government has issued a travel ban on foreign tourists including those from the UK then the same applies. If someone chooses not to travel solely because they are concerned about a potential risk the insurer will not compensate the traveller with or without a GP letter. It is of course possible that helplines are asking patients to speak to their GP just in case but this is still true. Practices may choose to direct travellers to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up-to-date FCO advice.
This will also be included in the update on Friday
Kind Regards
Jill
Jill Hellens
Executive Director
Somerset LMC
TEL: 01823 331428
Fax:01823 338561
General Practice in Somerset Great Place Great Potential
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