Travel Doctor
Dr Carolyn Holmes and Dr Manisha Saini run The Travel Doctor clinic at Hamilton East Medical Centre.
New Zealand is a relatively safe country. We don’t have to consider rabies, dengue fever or malaria in our day-to-day lives. Our mountains are not high enough to give us altitude sickness and our rivers do not contain bilharzia.
Knowing about some of the problems you may encounter overseas enables you to take simple measures to reduce your risks. Contrary to popular belief, travel health advice does not just mean inoculations! Take time to ensure that you are aware of how to minimise your chances of ill health while travelling. We feel it is unethical to just give out vaccinations without providing patients with the bigger picture.
The Travel Doctor
Formally known as Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre TMVC), The Travel Doctor was established in New Zealand in 1996 and is one of nine clinics around New Zealand. Both doctors have done postgraduate study in travel medicine, are members of the International Society of Travel Medicine and are experienced practicing general practitioners, so can combine their knowledge of personal medical conditions and medications. They have also advised school groups going on overseas trips.
A travel consultation will include a 30-minute consultation with the doctor and then a further 30 minutes with the nurse.
We will need to work out exactly what you need to know for your trip. This will depend on where you are going, your style of accommodation, activities while you are there, your past medical history, allergies and a range of other factors that are best discussed during your consultation. Ideally the consultation should take place at least eight weeks prior to departure as some vaccinations require a course to be given – but it is never too late to seek advice.
We offer a full range of vaccinations for international travel. If you are travelling to South America or Africa, Doctors Holmes and Saini are certified Yellow Fever vaccinating doctors.
We also have a range of medical products for travellers, including first aid and medical kits and insect repellents. Our emphasis is on health and safety – not travel gimmicks or money making asides.
We look forward to seeing you, sharing in the excitement of your trip and sending you off as informed and prepared as possible.
Extra fees apply for the longer consultation, plus vaccination costs – please ask when booking your appointment.
Websites for travellers
The Travel Doctor, New Zealand
www.traveldoctor.co.nz and www.shoptraveldoctor.com/catalog/shop
- General advice regarding travel clinics, vaccinations, and travel health alerts.
- New Zealand websites.
- Hamilton East Medical Centre is a member of The Travel Doctor.
- Online shop for travel-related items.
Safe Travel, New Zealand
New Zealand Government advice about the potential safety of each country.
International Society for Travel Medicine
List of worldwide travel doctors
International Society for Mountain Medicine
Information on altitude sickness
Medsafe
Information regarding medications and rules for travelling with medications (consumer medicine information, importing medicines, personal importation).
Fit for Travel
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx
United Kingdom website for information on health considerations at destination. Malaria m
verview.