To help us offer the appropriate advice, patients will need to complete a travel questionnaire before coming to see the nurse. This can be obtained from the receptionist or by clicking the link.  This must be submitted to the practice at least 8 weeks before travel.

Travel Vaccination Prices

Kearsley Medical Centre does not prescribe Benzodiazepine sedatives such as Diazepam for fear of flying. This is a practice policy which has been updated following new guidance and agreed by all GP partners. It is adhered to by all prescribers in the practice. This is due to a number of reasons, which are outlined below:

1. As per the prescribing guidelines that GP’s use (British National Formulary), Diazepam and other Benzodiazepines in this group are contraindicated (not allowed) for fear of flying. As well as this, fear of flying does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract and so we are not obliged to prescribe for this.
2. Diazepam is a sedative so it makes you more relaxed and sleepy which can lead to a lack of coordination and slower reaction times. This means you may not be able to react appropriately to save yourself should an emergency occur. These effects can be enhanced if diazepam is consumed with alcohol.
3. Whilst diazepam causes sedation in most patients, it can cause agitation or aggression in some. This could have an impact on your own safety as well as the safety of others or it could get you in trouble with the law.
4. Diazepam can result in unnaturally deep sleep. This can lead to reduced movements which can increase the risk of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism). Blood clots can be very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater with flights longer than 4 hours.
5. Respiratory depression can occur due to the lower levels of oxygen at higher altitudes combined with shallow/irregular breathing, which is a common side effect of diazepam.
6. Diazepam can be addictive and withdrawal from it can lead to fits, hallucinations, agitation and confusion.
7. Diazepam can stay in the body for a long time, so it could have an impact on any drug tests that may be required for work. Using diazepam may also nullify any medical insurance if it is not declared.
8. Diazepam can only be obtained with a prescription in the UK but unfortunately it has become a drug of abuse. Moreover, it is illegal in a number of countries. As a result, it may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the law.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with advice, online resources or a fear of flying course run by the airlines. We have listed some resources below:

Easy Jet Fear of flying course | Fearless Flyer (easyjet.com)

British Airways Fear of flying courses from British Airways™ | Flying With Confidence

Virgin Tips For Nervous Flyers | Advice For Nervous Flyers | Virgin Atlantic

Patients who still wish to take diazepam or benzodiazepines for fear of flying could consider consulting with a private GP.