Volunteer Health Screening
Comprehensive care for volunteers
InterHealth provides a comprehensive travel health programme for volunteers, expeditioners and their sending organisations which include services before, during and after their return home. We have developed this provision based on 20 years of experience in the sector, and through drawing on world wide best practice and evidence.
Health clearance for your volunteers and expeditioners
Volunteer Health Screening (VHS) is a service recommended for volunteers and expeditioners going overseas on a short term assignment (less than 12 months). There is no lower limit for the duration of their trip.
Our Volunteer Health Screening Service provides a pre-assignment, online health clearance by specialist Travel Health Clinicians to minimise the risk of avoidable illness and to promote good health.
Health screening is based on individuals completing an electronic health questionnaire, which is then carefully assessed by an InterHealth specialist. Any medical concerns are considered, and an opinion given to the organisation which either comprises full health clearance or suggests adjustments for any tasks and destinations if significant health problems or disabilities are present. On occasions a medical examination is required either at InterHealth or with the individual’s normal medical provider. We pay particular attention to a history of depression, eating disorders, fatigue and asthma.
Understanding the Volunteer Health Screening process
Screening your volunteers and expeditioners
All individuals are required to complete an online Volunteer’s Health Declaration Form and submit it to InterHealth for scrutiny. In most cases, a decision can be made by our Clinical Team as to the person’s health fitness for the proposed assignment.
If the team member judges that they are not yet in a position to make that assessment, further information must be sought either from the individual or their GP/hospital specialist. In the case of a history of mental illness or a suspected eating disorder, specifically tailored forms are sent to the volunteer for completion and reviewed by the InterHealth Psychiatrist. A follow-up by telephone or consultation is undertaken if necessary.
Occasionally we have to recommend against an individual working abroad or suggest deferment. We will do this in an inclusive way, discussing issues with the volunteer and the sending organisation until a consensus is reached.
Below, we have outlined the screening process:
- Notifying InterHealth
Organisations send InterHealth a list of names of individuals and their email addresses.
- Notifying your volunteers
InterHealth sends an email to individuals with their unique login ID and pin number.
- Complete and send
Individuals complete their VHS form online and submit to InterHealth.
- Medical Review
Our Clinical Team review Volunteer Health Screening forms submitted by individuals.
- Follow Up
Our Clinical Team undertakes any necessary follow-ups including liasing with the person, the GP & investigating any areas of concern.
- Health Clearance
We then either give unconditional clearance or offer recommendations based on any health problems the individual has disclosed.
- Swine flu continues to cause some anxiety amongst travellers.
- Killer Fact: About half of all swimmers in Lake Malawi test positive for Bilharzia when checked...
- Community Health Global Networks (CHGN) to attend crucial meeting looking at a number of vital...