MIMS travel advice partner NaTHNaC celebrates 15-year anniversary

NaTHNaC, now a commissioned service of Public Health England, was set up on 24 November 2002 by the Department of Health, with the broad aim of 'protecting the health of British travellers'.

Over the last 15 years, NaTHNaC has worked in partnership with network founders University College London Hospital, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases to become an internationally respected travel medicine authority.

Recent developments include an updated, open access website with improved functionality and innovative features, such as eBook format factsheets and interactive Google maps. NaTHNaC has also found new ways of engaging with both health professionals and the public by expanding into social media, with active accounts on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

NaTHNaC continues to work closely with partners, the travel industry, travel health professionals and travellers to raise the profile of travel medicine and provide current and reliable travel health advice. It remains committed to supporting both health professionals and travellers in the future, whilst expanding and developing its service.

'NaTHNaC has come a long way since its inception just 15 years ago and continues to evolve and expand its public service,' said NaTHNaC Chair Dr Rima Makarem.

'It works closely with other international bodies to share travel health intelligence and advice. It is the recognised authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the registration of Yellow Fever Clinics. In response to calls for more advice, it is now developing a suite of e-learning packages to support professionals in primary care and travel clinics.'

She added 'The respect and status that NaTHNaC commands is in no small part due to the tireless commitment and expertise of its staff'.