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6. What support services are there?
There is a rich network of support services set up for Christian healthcare workers overseas, several of which have already been mentioned. Take time to visit (on site or on their website) and view what they have to offer before you go abroad. (See Appendix 2).

Make sure you have a reliable personal support network for yourself in the UK before you go people who can act on your behalf in the UK - obtain vital resources, equipment and information for you etc.

The CMF overseas website contains the Healthcare Mission Resources Directory which is a 'Yellow Pages' of useful information and contact addresses for those working overseas. The contents page is reproduced below. Visit www.healthserve.org/pages/.

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Christian Support Organisations ICMDA Member Organisations, National Christian Healthcare, NCFI Associates & Member Bodies, Organisations with a healthcare Interest, Organisations without a healthcare Interest Fundraising General, Grants for Elective Students, Grants for Mature Students Information & Courses Academic Courses, Bible Colleges, Medical Books, Journals and Publishers, Other Healthcare Mission Related Courses Internet Resources Ethics & Social Issues, International Healthcare Organisations, Opportunities, Resources Other Useful Addresses Charities with a Medical Interest, International Medical Bodies, Medical Societies and Allied Professions, Other Secular Organisations, Royal Colleges and Faculties

Personal Resources Careers Guidance, Children's Education, Encouragement, Insurance, Marriage Matters, Money Matters, Pensions, Personal Healthcare Sending & Receiving Organisations Non-UK Based Agencies, Organisations Offering Short-Term Service Opportunities, Overseas Hospitals, UK Based Agencies Supplies Building Projects, Drugs, Equipment, Freighting Travel General Travel, Travel Websites, Vehicle Hire & Sales UK Accommodation Elsewhere, In or Near London, Retreat Centres

Other useful organisations include: OSCAR – www.oscar.org.uk/ for many mission resources TALC - www.talcuk.org/ for teaching aids IDA - www.idafoundation.org/en-US/ for drug supplies See also Appendices 2 & 6

Many secular professional bodies also provide useful services.

The WHO based HINARI website provides free access to over 3000 journals. While living and working in the less developed world, you can register and obtain access to the journals they offer. www.who.int/hinari/en/

The BMA www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/splashpage

• Offers free membership while working abroad
• On line access to several journals for bona fide voluntary workers
• Will send you the BMJ (overseas edition without job adverts).
• Their International Department provides advice on a host of issues relevant both to those working abroad and regarding their return to the UK.

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Acknowledgements My thanks to Chris Lavy, Eldryd Parry, Ian Spillman and Nick Wooding, all of whom have worked overseas and have a continuing involvement, for their helpful comments and advice. First edition 1994 - Entitled ‘A Medical Missions Handbook’ by Peter Saunders. Second Edition 1998 (updated April 2000) Third Edition September 2003 - by Peter Armon Fourth Edition 2007 – renamed ‘Working Abroad’ - totally revised & rewritten by Peter Armon All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the CMF. Christian Medical Fellowship 6 Marshalsea Road London SE1 1HL Tel. 020 7234 9660 Fax 020 7234 9661 Websites:www.cmf.org.uk and www.healthserve.org Christian Medical Fellowship is a registered charity No. 1039823 DISCLAIMER While seeking to be accurate in all the details contained in this document, CMF cannot be held responsible for the information contained in this booklet. The reader should double check the information for him/herself