Repatriating a patient to England.

[Rtony]

This thread started as Cheap Accommodation wanted in La Roche sur Yon and after a recommendation by Cooperlola I've moved it here.

Since the first post when my wife was seriously ill, I was travelling to France from England and in danger of running out of money. Then on the ferry at the start of another trip I got a prostate problem and couldn't have a wee, which left me in England unable to travel. After many very helpful messages, things started to improve, my wife was a bit better & this week the Dr said she was fit enough to be transferred to our local hospital,although she's still not fully conscious and being weaned off the respirator. Now just waiting for news of her MRI scan. And I've just got an appointment for my little op.

So now I'm looking to repatriate my wife, Ive received 2 quotes. The one from IAS Medical looks ok. Has anybody heard of them?

They say they will deal with arranging admission to our local University Hospital, doesn't the French Consultant have to liase with the English Consultant about this?

Thanks,

Tony

[Quillan]

I was looking to find out what you have to do. I found 1 company who are accredited by the Home Office who do this sort of thing.

http://www.aeromed365.com/medical-escorts.php

I also found a site with information and one thing it says is that "Always contact the British Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible"

http://www.wingsmedical.com/no_insurance/travel_checklist/

I assume you have no travel insurance but did you buy the ticket to travel on a credit card for example and do they automatically give you travel insurance. If you flew out by RyanAir did you take insurance with them?

Anyway, if you contact the British Embassy or Consulate they may be able to help and even recommend a company to 'ship' your wife back to the UK.

Sorry to hear of both your problems and I hope it works out well for you both and wish you both a speedy recovery.

You might consider letting us know how things go and any problems you have which may help others in the future. Never enough first hand experience in these matters.

[Rtony]

Thanks Quillan, I've looked at Aeromed and they seem ok. My only fear is selecting one of the hundreds of firms online, paying the cash and they turn out to be phoney. Having seen Watchdog, some dodgy firms put approved by Bupa, NHS, Home Office etc and they're not. I could do with a recommendation from somebody that's used a medical repatriation service. Do you know of any?

Thanks again, Tony

[Quillan]

Sorry I don't but as I pointed out you should have already of contacted the Consulate when all this 'kicked off' and I suspect they can give you a list of companies they know can help or at least point you in the right direction especially if you tell them your concerns.

[minnie]

It was through my insurance, but the assistance company CEGA were brilliant when I needed a nurse escort from France to the UK after a car accident a few years ago. They are a reputable assistance company with ample expertise in the field of medical repatriations on both commercial flights and air ambulances. My daughter works for an assistance company in New Zealand and advises that other assistance companies who might be able to help include Europ Assistance (who have a branch in the UK) and possibly First Assist UK (not to be confused with First Assistance, which is based in NZ), although she's not entirely sure whether these companies are able to act for individuals. Anyway, hopefully this might give you a couple of other leads. Best of luck.

[Tony F Dordogne]

[quote user="Rtony"]Thanks Quillan, I've looked at Aeromed and they seem ok. My only fear is selecting one of the hundreds of firms online, paying the cash and they turn out to be phoney. Having seen Watchdog, some dodgy firms put approved by Bupa, NHS, Home Office etc and they're not. I could do with a recommendation from somebody that's used a medical repatriation service. Do you know of any? Thanks again, Tony[/quote]

I've been involved in the repatriation of a seriously injured person to the UK and it was all done through a company recommended by the British Consulate in Paris.

Seems like a good idea to make sure that you have insurance for this sort of event, the insurance company take care of the whole thing then - or they should - which is what happened to the person I was involved with, via the Embassy contacts.  And, if you're not resident in France do you have an EHIC card so you can offset some of the costs when you get back to the UK?

And no, in my experience from my own involvement and from others who have needed medical repatriation, it's down to you to organise tho the Embassy may be able to help you locally if they have a Consulate or a vice Consul in your local area.

[Rtony]

I rang the British Embassy in Paris on Saturday and they were shut!

Has anybody heard of a company that deals with repatriation named AVIASTRA.

Tony

[Russethouse]

 There are 'duty officers' http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/when-things-go-wrong/ but my gut feeling would be to wait 24 hours and get the right advice rather than take a risk.

Sorry...

[Pierre ZFP]

Bear in mind also tha it is a Public Holiday and I think Embassy staff take these as well so they might not be open until Tuesday at the earliest.

[minnie]

RTony, How are you progressing with this?

[Rtony]

My wife is now in England and being cared for in our local hospital.

We used an air ambulance company called Aviastra and they were excellent all the way through.

So everything's starting to go our way at last and I'm having my op. next Tuesday. Just need the wife to get better now.

Thanks to all that helped.

Tony

[cooperlola]

I'm glad that at least the most recent phase went well.  All the best to both of you.[:)]

[Quillan]

[quote user="Rtony"]My wife is now in England and being cared for in our local hospital. We used an air ambulance company called Aviastra and they were excellent all the way through. So everything's starting to go our way at last and I'm having my op. next Tuesday. Just need the wife to get better now. Thanks to all that helped. Tony[/quote]

Really pleased it went well for you both and wish you both a speedy recovery.