Travel Clinic at the Brownlee Centre
Opening Hours: The Travel Clinic is only open on Wednesday mornings between 9.30 - 12.30
Contacts: Patients must contact their GP before making an appointment at the Brownlee.
Please read the following information before contacting us:
Where is the Travel Clinic? The Travel Clinic is situated in the Outpatients Department at the Brownlee Centre, in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital, Great Western Road, Glasgow.
How can I make an appointment at the Travel Clinic? This is an appointment-only service.
Patients must contact their GP before making an appointment at the Brownlee and will be seen at the Brownlee only if the GP practice is unable to meet their pre-travel needs. Your GP is able to give you some travel vaccinations free of charge. A referral letter from the GP is not necessary unless the patient has, for example, a very complicated medical history.
You can make an appointment by phoning the travel clinic reception (after discussing your travel plans with your GP). Patients can also be referred by health professionals. You are strongly advised to make an appointment at least 6 weeks before your planned departure date.
You should be aware that, for some vaccines, multiple doses are required to get sufficient protection, and it is necessary to spread these over a number of weeks: for example a primary course of rabies vaccine requires 3 doses, spread over 21 - 28 days.
The Travel Clinic does not provide telephone advice to members of the public. Country by country advice is available on the FitforTravel website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk). It is helpful to look at this website and check the advice for your trip before you contact your GP for pre-travel advice.
The Travel Clinic offers appointments for pre-travel advice for travellers with complicated itineraries or underlying health problems (e.g. immuno-suppression). The clinic sees travellers from the West of Scotland and Lanarkshire, Highland and Forth Valley.
What will happen at my Travel Clinic appointment? On arrival at the clinic, the receptionist will provide you with a booklet containing basic travel advice (which also provides a record of all vaccinations you receive at the clinic) and a price list for the vaccinations and antimalarial tablets provided by the clinic. Please study both carefully.
You will be asked to return to the waiting room until called through to the consulting room. You will be seen by a nurse or a doctor specializing in travel health who will discuss your travel plans and your medical and vaccination history with you. You will also be asked if you are allergic to any vaccines or medicines or to eggs (this is because the manufacture of some vaccines involves the use of egg protein) or if you are pregnant or may have a poorly functioning immune system (as some vaccines cannot be given to people who are pregnant or immune-suppressed). Using this information, the doctor or nurse will make an assessment of the risks of infectious diseases during your trip and, in discussion with you, will advise on the vaccinations, malaria prevention measures and general health advice appropriate for your trip.
When you have agreed on a schedule for your vaccinations, you will be asked to return to Reception where you will be given follow-up appointments for further vaccinations, if required, and asked to pay for the vaccinations you will receive on that day. You will then be asked to wait in the waiting room until called through to receive your vaccinations. After your vaccinations have been given, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room for up to 30 minutes, in case you have a reaction to the vaccine.
Will I have to pay for my travel vaccines and antimalarial tablets? In accordance with NHS requirements, the Brownlee Travel Clinic charges for all vaccinations and antimalarial tablets supplied by the Travel Clinic, including those that your GP may be able to give you free of charge. Please read the price list carefully before attending the clinic.
The preferred method of payment is credit or debit card. Cash payments are accepted. There is a cash machine (ATM) in the Gartnavel General Hospital foyer.
What should I do if I have a reaction to a vaccination? Serious reactions to vaccines are rare. Possible reactions to the vaccines you will receive, including any specific risks you may have as a result of your medical history, will be discussed at your consultation. Common reactions include redness and tenderness at the vaccination site and feeling mildly “fluey” within 24-48 hours of the vaccine. More severe reactions, especially rashes, swelling of the face, feelings of tightness in the throat or difficulty breathing should be reported to your GP without delay.
I have returned from my travels and feel unwell. Can I make an appointment at the Brownlee? The Brownlee Travel Clinic also offers appointments for travellers who have returned home unwell. This is by referral only from GPs or a hospital doctor. Referrals can be made by letter or fax. An appointment is usually available within 1- 4 weeks.
FitforTravel website: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
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