Hope someone can help, I am intending to go on holiday later this year, but I have come across a stumbling block. We actually booked this holiday before I was prescribed ambulatory oxygen to be used when needed (for example walking and exerting myself etc). At rest and light jobs I am completely fine. I have already spoken to the airline company and I will be able to take my portable cylinders on the flight.
My problem is who can I contact to have my cylinders refilled when necessary. I hope to be heading to Rhodes (I know I don't make things easy going to an island).
If anyone can give me any advice I would be very grateful. I received some information from BLF, but was wondering if anyone has had practical experience.
Many thanks
Ronnie
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Ron62
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Hi, You may be able to get your oxygen under the EHIC arrangement. If you go to the NHS choices website and look for country by country guides Greece is on there including Greek islands. There is also a telephone number for the overseas health team in this country who are quite helpful. I am trying to get to Cyprus for holiday under the scheme
You can hire a portable concentrator for £150 per week which comes with 2 rechargeable batteries and is the size of a small handbag and weighs around 5lbs from nebulisersdirect.co.uk you also have to pay an extra £350 which is refunded when it's returned. Hope this helps. It's the cheapest I've been able to find and all airlines accept this machine. Good luck. Wendy x
Rhodes has one of the best hospitals in the Greek Islands - when EU funds were available it opted for the hospital and another island got the prison! However, most health care there is privately paid for, not publically funded like the NHS. There is a Greek joke which translates to: "She's so well off, she gets all her shopping in the pharmacy."
What you need is a portable Oxygen concentration machine. They can run on mains or batteries. Better than having to drag oxy cylinders around. They are not too expensive but also can be hired or rented. Regards, Norm
Hi Ronnie, I'm in the USA and I'm on 3 liters of oxygen 24/7. You may want to check with your oxygen company that supplies you with yours. Here in America, the company I do business with has a "portable" Oxygen for travel. Very convenient. You can actually charge it in a cigarette lighter in your car and the battery pack will run for 1.5 hours until it needs recharging. Once you are somewhere there is an electrical outlet, you can recharge from there and let it run continuously from the receptacle. Airplanes have receptacles---people charge laptops all the time on them. If you use the battery, once it's charged, it works for 1.5 hours as I said. One other thing, it has a pull up handle and rolls just like a piece of luggage. No need to carry it. Check with your oxygen company. They should be available for rent. Hope this helps. gg
Hi Linda thanks for replying, I have arranged a POC with my oxygen supplier at £150 a week plus £500 refundable deposit. Just need to complete a fitness to fly test next week
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