Van life with a chronic illness is possible with planning. Here is how to manage health conditions while living on the road in the UK.
Medication Storage
- Keep medications in a cool, dry place (not in the cab where temperatures reach 50°C in summer)
- Use a small 12v Peltier cooler (Labcold or similar) for medicines that need refrigeration (£30-50)
- Keep a 2-week supply with you at all times
- Always carry a repeat prescription slip or NHS summary care record
Accessing NHS Care
- Register as a temporary resident with a local GP when you need an appointment
- Use NHS 111 for urgent but non-emergency advice (available 24/7)
- Order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App — collect from any pharmacy
- Boots and Lloyd's allow collection at any branch
Pacing Yourself
- Plan travel days with built-in rest
- Do not try to see everything in one day — pick one or two activities
- Stay 3-5 nights in one location to reduce setup/teardown fatigue
- Listen to your body: if you need a rest day, take it
Van Adaptations
- An electric bed lift (£100-200) reduces physical strain
- A portable toilet near the bed saves midnight trips outside
- Good heating (Eberspächer/Webasto) reduces cold-related symptom flare-ups
- Comfortable seating with lumbar support
Community
The "Disabled Van Lifers UK" Facebook group has 5,000+ members sharing advice and adapted van recommendations.
