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Fit to Fly certificate

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Nansypansy Fri 14-Oct-16 09:22:06

Having just returned from Tenerife with my sister-in-law I thought I would bring to fellow gransnetters attention a couple of points about accidents on holiday. My sister-in-law tripped and broke her arm 2 days before returning home. Ambulance late Sunday night to hospital; travel insurance and EHIC card asked for; her husband contacted in the middle of the night for travel insurance details which subsequently he realised he hadn't renewed when the reminder came through; €2000 requested which (fortunately) didn't go through. Sent back to our apartment with half plaster and told to come back next morning. Only then were we told it was a private hospital and that the 'surgery' would cost at least €5000 - we refused and were told we might be refused on the flight back unless we got a Fit to Fly certificate. We managed to get this (€177). Sure enough it was asked for when booking in, also when we entered the aircraft. Thank goodness to be back home and enjoy our beloved NHS. NO surgery required - manipulation and plaster. Be warned travelling gransnetters!

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Jane10 Fri 14-Oct-16 09:29:19

Gosh what a ghastly experience. Thanks for the warning Nansypansy

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tanith Fri 14-Oct-16 09:56:05

A very good reason to check insurance details before any holiday or trip. Glad you got home and were treated finally.

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trisher Fri 14-Oct-16 10:09:11

Several years ago I traveled to Cyprus with my mum- then in her late 80s. She was taken ill and had to be admitted to a local clinic. She had a private room , excellent treatment and care. If I had wanted I could have stayed in the clinic as well. As it was I slept at my hotel and took a taxi to the clinic every day to sit with her on her balcony. She was released a few days before we left, but had to return the day before we flew to collect her Fit to Fly certificate.The clinic loaned us a wheelchair as she was still weak and we took a taxi there and back and next day a taxi to the airport. All I had to do was hand our travel insurance documents to the clinic staff, they took care of everything, and claim my taxi fares when I got home. The clinic even sent her a Christmas card afterwards. Thank goodness we had full insurance cover!

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Hilltopgran Fri 14-Oct-16 10:31:33

My son was taken ill on holiday earlier this year, his bill for 2 weeks intensive care and a medical transfer home with a Dr and nurse in attendance, was huge, more than the cost of a small house, so I would always urge people to make sure they have full insurance and take the details with you. DIL had to produce her details whilst in a very emotional state in order for son to get treatment.The insurance company were helpful, and having the right details to hand at such a time did help.

SIL flew home last year after a fall with broken pelvis, and got the A&E Consultant to give her a fit to fly cert, he just wanted to see that she could weight bear enough to transfer from seat to wheelchair.

Hope it did not spoil your holiday too much OP.

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Jalima Fri 14-Oct-16 11:43:11

A young relative fell and broke bones whilst on holiday abroad and she and her partner had to stay on there visiting the hospital regularly until she was 'fit to fly'. She had to be escorted by a doctor sent out from the UK, and had to fly in 1st class because economy would have been impossible.
Luckily she had travel insurance, and they did pay up and arrange everything for her - after a struggle with them.

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Nansypansy Sun 16-Oct-16 16:08:47

Update .... she does need surgery to plate the arm tomorrow, so I guess Sur Hospital were right in saying she needed surgery.

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