Ever wondered hope you would cope in an emergency in a foreign land? Remember there is no NHS outside of the UK!

While this post is a little tongue in cheek in places it does bring home the need to adapt to your environment and also to learn how the accident and emergency system works, wherever you are.  This particular post refers to Australia but it could be any country in the world.  A health diet, plenty of fluids and knowledge of how to call an ambulance in an emergency is vital.

The post also tackles the subject of charges for calling out an ambulance and the need for health cover in the land of your choice.  Don’t just assume that the medical profession works in the same manner as the place you left to move to places such as Australia – this is ever more vital for those who come from the UK where the NHS picks up the bill for all residents.

Health insurance is a must for anyone who is moving overseas and something which should be one of the first things that you do when you land.  You never know when you may require medical assistance and how much this might cost.  When the stress of an illness or an accident builds up the last thing which you want to be thinking about is money!

These are the kind of posts which look fairly tongue in cheek on the surface but actually highlight something that many people may overlook.  Health insurance should be near the top of your list when you are emigrating!

Summary

A quick glimpse at the first few posts and you might be forgiven for thinking it just a gentle chat about experiences in Australian A&E departments, but there is a very important point to the post.  No matter which country in the world you move to the system for even dialling an ambulance could be different and the cost structure will also vary from place to place.

Those from the UK will have the most to learn when moving overseas because there is no NHS and the emergency number is different – 911 as oppose to 999!

While the point about the health service in Australia is very visible when you read the post there is also a secondary message in that you need to look after yourself and adapt to your surroundings.  In Australia you are likely to encounter more heat than you would in many other areas of the world so it is vital for children and adults alike to keep their fluid levels high.  It is also very important to stick to a healthy diet and ensure you eat regular meals.

As the post shows it seems to be children who find it hardest to adapt to their new surroundings in Australia with a number seemingly suffering from dehydration.  It is vital that children are taught to respect their new surroundings and their bodies as there could be some serious consequences.

Read more about coping with a medical emergency in Australia.