Travel health courses, resources and events
Find the best resources, courses and events to develop your knowledge and skills when offering travel-health advice. Here you can learn more about increasing your knowledge on pre-travel risks and the issues patients could face when travelling.
NaTHNaC
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website offers a range of factsheets on travel health on its .
An who have queries about complex travel scenarios.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) TRAVAX
is an interactive NHS website (registration required) providing up-to-date health information for UK health care professionals who advise the public about avoiding illness and staying healthy when travelling abroad.
Fitfortravel
is a free, interactive, public access website providing current health information for the UK public on avoiding illness and staying healthy when travelling abroad.
Changes to travel health service provision in Scotland
In 2022 the process to access travel health services in Scotland changed and became the national entry point for travellers seeking to access the free travel advice and vaccines provided by NHS Scotland. This applies only to travellers living in Scotland.
Health care advice for the LGBT community
A highlighted that LGBT people’s experience of health care in the UK is often not as good as those who are not from the LGBT community.
This can be due to health care providers lack of knowledge on the specific health needs of LGBT patients. The provides a collection of online modules, podcasts and screencasts.
These aim to inform and update members of the general practice team on important aspects of primary care for LGBT people and improve experience and outcomes for patients.
Practitioners are encouraged to complete all six modules along with the .
The Faculty of Travel Medicine (FTM)
The at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) offers lifelong learning, which includes educational courses and examinations to support travel health professionals throughout their careers.
See: . Nurses can join the and benefit from access to publications and reduced conference fees.
The FTM publication , which defines the standards of care every travel health practitioner should achieve to ensure the health and safety of the international traveller. A competency assessment tool is included.
This document should be used alongside the RCN guidance document Travel Health nursing: career and competence development.
FTM courses
Professional Development Certificate in Travel Medicine
The RCPSG/FTM offers a . The course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of doctors, nurses and pharmacists working within Travel Medicine. Other relevant health care professionals interested in this area may be considered.
The standard timeframe for this course is six months, but individuals have the flexibility of working at their own pace. The course has four core modules:
- Pre-Travel Risk Assessment and Management.
- Travel Related Infections.
- Malaria and Mosquito Borne Diseases.
- Immunology and Immunisations.
On successful completion, a Professional Development Certificate (PDC) in Travel Medicine will be awarded by the RCPSG. Students have the option of two start dates over the year. Applications are now open for 25 March 2024 and 23 September 2024.
Post Graduate Diploma in Travel Medicine
The RCPSG/FTM offers a . The course is designed to develop and support health care professionals in their role as travel medicine practitioners. The course consists of eight postgraduate modules delivered over 18 months.
Cohort three will begin in January 2025 with a residential week of learning. The second residential is planned for October 2025. The residential weeks are mandatory. Applications from students requesting online participation will be considered.
Epidemiology, Immunology and Travel Risk Assessment.
- Vector Borne Infections.
- Non-Vector Borne Infections.
- Environmental Factors and Travel.
- Advanced Research Methods.
- The Complex Traveller – Pre and Post Travel.
- Medical Conditions and Travel.
- Governance, Legal and Ethical Considerations.
Those who complete the course will be eligible for admission to Membership of the Faculty of Travel Medicine MFTM RCPSG.
Progression to MSc Advanced Practice (Travel Medicine)
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine, diplomates will be eligible to progress to a final course of study, offered by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), leading to the award of MSc Advanced Practice (Travel Medicine).
This is a 60-credit dissertation module, completed over two trimesters in a six-month period. The dissertation would build on the work begun during the Postgraduate Diploma. For more information or to sign up, visit the .
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM)
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) offers a part-time and fully online , educational programme, jointly developed with the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and LSTM’s .
The diploma course consists of 4 modules:
- Travel Vaccination Principles and Practice.
- Governance and Safety in Travel Health.
- Malaria Prevention in Travel Health.
- Hazards in Travel Health.
Developed and presented by doctors and nurses with extensive and diverse experience in travel health, this unique educational programme offers an opportunity for both new and experienced practitioners to advance or enhance their knowledge, skills and competencies in the discipline. for either standalone modules or the diploma.
The RCN offers various , and other funding opportunities. You do not have to be an RCN member to apply.
Other organisations offering events and resources, include:
Upcoming events
Joint RCN NaTHNaC 8th annual conference
22 March 2025
Location: online
3-5 June 2026
Location: ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland
RCN Members can apply for a discounted registration fee for NECTM10. You will need your PIN to apply.
International Society of Travel Medicine.
11-15 May 2025
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana USA.
Page last updated - 30/09/2024
