The level of commitment and dedication of the staff in medical care, support and advice as our family prepared, lived and worked overseas has been unprecedented.
— Long-term Volunteer, Malawi

Healthcare for overseas workers & volunteers

For 40 years we’ve supported agencies, employers, groups, individuals and families, at every stage of an international deployment, assignment, or placement. We know from experience what working and volunteering overseas can mean; the stresses and strains on body, mind and soul.

We recognise that those who serve others may often overlook their own health needs. This can impact on them as individuals and also on their ability to continue their important work, in some cases requiring an early return home.

Employers value the 360 in HealthLink360…

Thank you for your support in my deployment
— Medical Volunteer, Sierra Leone

SERVICES MENU

 Our medical services:

·        Identify health issues relevant to deployment

·        Optimise health through screening and early intervention

·        Address health issues that have arisen during or after deployment

Short-term or longer term placements, we provide medical checks for international workers and volunteers, tailored towards individuals, groups, or families. They can also be useful to volunteers and employees working in the UK.  Contact us to find out more.


PRE-DEPLOYMENT OR PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICALS & SCREENINGS

Health checks before someone starts a new assignment or role. Whether it's a call to ministry, a short-term international trip, volunteer placement, long-term assignment, or high-risk deployment, our screenings and medicals can identify health issues relevant to their role and, where necessary, provide recommendations.

 
  • Who it is suitable for: Individuals preparing for a new role, volunteer position or travel which is less than 12 months duration. Two questionnaires are available -

    • Young adults (18-30 years)

    • Adults 30 years and over

    How it works: Before leaving the UK or prior to starting in a new role or travel assignment, individuals complete an online questionnaire which is then reviewed by a member of our clinical team.

    • The questionnaires cover key areas of physical and mental health as well as assessing factors that might affect resilience. For example, how individuals deal with stress and whether they have experienced foreign travel or lived away from home. If further information is required about a medical condition, health issue, or medication, we’ll arrange a follow-up phone call with one of our clinical team.

    • If further information is required about psychological health a wellbeing assessment may be recommended with one of our psychological team practitioners (see our Psychological Services).

    • A report is prepared for the individual and organisation, giving a recommendation on fitness for placement, along with any suggested support measures .

  • Who is it suitable for: Individuals aged 16+ who are planning to start a longer term (more than 12 month) role overseas.

    How it works: This hour-long medical is carried out by one of our doctors at our travel clinic near Edinburgh, Scotland. The medical provides a comprehensive review of an individual’s physical and psychological health and can reduce the risk of unexpected issues arising during deployment

    • Individuals receive tailored, country-specific health preparation and advice

    • We’ll recommend any country-specific vaccinations or medications.

    • Core blood tests are included in the price of the medical. These include checks for anaemia, diabetes, liver & kidney function, thyroid disorders and cholesterol (if required). A urine dip test is also included.

    • Additional tests (e.g. ECGs, cervical smears, stool qFIT), vaccinations and medications are charged separately, if required.

    • A referral letter can be provided if specialist follow-up or imaging (such as chest x-rays) is recommended. The individual can take this letter to any private clinic that offers these services or to their GP for referral via the NHS. Costs charged by a private clinic to the individual (or organisation) for these additional services are not included in the price of our medical. These will need to be paid separately, direct to the clinic who provided the additional service.

    • The individual is given a detailed medical report including all their test results and a list of recommendations. Individuals can ask for a copy of this report to be sent to their General Practitioner (GP) if they wish.

    • A summary letter is provided for agencies listing the key recommendations relevant to the individual's role and their fitness for deployment overseas.

    Thinking 360-degree?

    Our Pre-Deployment Medicals can be provided in combination with our:

    • Psychological Assessments for Long-Term Overseas Workers (see also our Psychological Services).

    • Recommended Vaccinations which can be delivered in a post-medical vaccination appointment in our travel clinic. There is no additional travel clinic consultation fee, but vaccinations are charged separately as required.

  • Child Medical

    Who is it suitable for: For the children (aged 15 or below) of those working overseas long term, before they leave the UK.

    How it works: Taking place in our family-friendly environment, this 45-minute medical is for children accompanying their parents on longer-term overseas assignments (12 months or more). Our ‘family room’ facility (separate from our main waiting room) can provide families with a more relaxed and comfortable place to wait whilst each family member attends for their medical. The medical is carried out by one of our experienced doctors at our travel clinic near Edinburgh, Scotland and includes an assessment to evaluate any medical or developmental indicators of concern.

    • Provides advice for country-specific preventative health measures

    • We’ll recommend any country-specific vaccinations or medications

    • Core blood tests are included in the cost (if required).

    • Further tests will be dependent on the child’s age and any clinical concerns. Additional tests vaccinations or medications are charged separately if required.

    • A full report is compiled, including test results, and any recommendations.

    • Where requested and with parental consent, a letter of recommendation can be sent to a sending agency or employer regarding the fitness of the child for deployment

    Thinking 360-degree? Our Children’s Medicals can also be provided in combination with recommended Vaccinations which can be delivered in a post-medical vaccination appointment in our travel clinic. There is no additional travel clinic consultation fee, but vaccinations are charged separately as required.


MID-DEPLOYMENT OR POST-DEPLOYMENT MEDICALS

For individuals and families based overseas for a longer period of time, it’s important to check in regularly on health and wellbeing. Our medical services include advice on support for individuals to access whilst they’re home mid-assignment, or when they’re returning after a longer period overseas.

 
  • For individuals and families based overseas for a longer period of time, it’s important to check in regularly on health and wellbeing. Our medical services include advice on support for individuals to access whilst they’re home mid-assignment, or where they’re returning after a longer period overseas.

    Mid-deployment or post-deployment medical (adult)

    Who is it suitable for: For individuals returning to the UK – either for a visit, or indefinitely - after a longer term assignment overseas.

    How it works: This comprehensive 60 minute medical assessment aims to detect and address health issues that may have arisen during an overseas placement and is a valuable indicator of an individual’s ongoing physical health and resilience. The appointment is designed to be country-specific to an assignment location and allows time to address any concerns the individual might have.

    • Core blood tests are included in the price of the medical. These include checks for anaemia, diabetes, liver & kidney function, thyroid disorders and cholesterol (if required). A urine dip test is also included.

    • Additional tests (e.g. ECGs, cervical smears, stool qFIT), vaccinations and medications are charged separately, if required.

    • A referral letter can be provided if specialist follow-up or imaging (such as chest x-rays) is recommended. The individual can take this letter to any private clinic that offers these services or to their GP for referral via the NHS. Costs charged by a private clinic to the individual (or organisation) for these additional services are not included in the price of our medical. These will need to be paid separately, direct to the clinic who provided the additional service.

    • Vaccinations or medications are charged separately if required

    • Following your medical you will receive a full report including test results and any recommendations made. A report regarding continuing fitness for deployment can also be provided to an agency or employer.

    Thinking 360-degrees? An in-person Mid Deployment Medical can be provided in combination with our Mid-Term Psychological Assessment (see also our Psychological Services).

  • Who is it suitable for: For children (aged 15 or younger) returning to the UK – either for a visit, or indefinitely - after a longer term assignment accompanying their parents overseas.

    How it works: This 60-minute medical at our family friendly clinic is carried out by one of our experienced doctors and is tailored to the age of the child and location/environment they have been living in.

    • Detects and addresses health issues that may have arisen overseas along with any concerns the parents or child may have.

    • Recommendations will be made if specialist follow up is required.

    • Core blood tests are included in the cost.

    • Additional tests e.g. stool and urine testing, tropical screening etc will depend on clinical concerns, age of your child and placement location.

    • Vaccinations or medications are charged separately if required

    • Following the medical, the child and their parent will receive a full report including test results and any recommendations made. With parental agreement, where appropriate a report with recommendations regarding continuing fitness for overseas deployment can be provided to an agency/employer.


PACKAGES & 360-DEGREE OPTIONS

Packages tailored to the specific needs of an organisation, employer or agency.

 
  • If you are likely to access our services more regularly, on a repeat pattern or for larger groups of individuals, you may wish to discuss a service agreement which sets out the service levels and allows you to manage your resources by spreading the cost of delivering an agreed level of service across the course of the year.

    Contact us to discuss your needs in more detail, and to explore whether a service agreement might work well for you.

FEES & PACKAGES

Get in touch to discuss packages designed to meet your specific needs:

·      360degree combined health screening and wellbeing assessment

·      360degree medicals and post-medical vaccinations

·      360degree pre-deployment medicals, vaccinations and psychological assessment

For information about our fees, or to discuss tailored  packages for your organisational needs,

please contact admin@healthlink360.org or call: 0131 653 6767


In the time we worked with Healthlink360 the number of early returns for medical reasons dropped significantly.
— CEO, Challenges Worldwide volunteer agency