Buying/hiring an Oxygen concentrator for holidays

[Choccie]

Hi,

My mum is on overnight oxygen. She is due to go abroad on holiday in a few months and the company providing her O2 concentrator say they can't supply one for her to go out of the country with.

She is looking at buying one although they are incredibly expensive. Has anyone done this? Or are there any hire facitilies from anywhere?

One of the companies said they'd sell her one and buy it back but it was hugely expensive.

Any help or advice hugely appreciated!

Thanks

Choccie

PS - due to her condition she doesn't need it on the flight so we don't need to arrange that too!

[limbobimbo]

Hi Choccie,

I'm on oxygen 24/7 and enquired last year about oxygen abroad as I had booked my holiday before I was put on oxygen. I had to get in touch with the Alicante consulate who informed me it would cost 430 euros to hire a concentrator for my hotel room for the week but added to the £100 for oxygen on the plane it was too expensive so we had to cancel losing all our money as the insurance company said I should have informed them of my illness (sarcoidosis) although it's only since August that I've got really bad despite the fact I've had it for over 20 years. Anyway to cut a long story short hope this helps, sorry I can't remember the phone number for the consulate but it should be easy enough online.

Liz

[gingermusic in reply to limbobimbo]

You should have been able to arrange free oxygen against your EICC card you were not given the correct information

[BugsBunny]

I hired a portable oxygen concentrator from Pure 02 and took it to Cyprus and Crete. I am sure that other companies who sell concentrators also hire them out. I did not need oxygen overnight though. When I needed to go to Israel (many years ago) I approached first aid organisations in the country who told me where I could go to get large oxygen cylinders and also where to hire a concentrator. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Regards Mandy

[Tigree]

I have been recently finding out about Oxygen abroad. I cannot guarantee you the accuracy of what I have learnt but check it out yourself to confirm. Easy jet let you take the 2 very small oxy. for travelling but you need to show letter GP to say you must have Oxy.If you needed oxy on the plane, with notice ,the plane will supply it. The other thing I found was that British Oxygen have many sites abroud and I have been told that if you give plenty of notice they wii deliver a concentrator to the place you are staying and remove it the day you leave free of charge. I remind you this is only what I have been told I hope to dig further so I can go to Spain in May. Hope this helps a bit.

[ceaston3 in reply to Tigree]

I've just phoned a company in Spain and they will hire me a consentrator for your 2 weeks for 420euros the number is0034676141213 hope this is of help.Chris

[gingermusic in reply to ceaston3]

You can obtain oxygen requirements in Europe for free with your EICC card but it has to be booked here in UK a month prior to travel.

[chopperr98 in reply to gingermusic]

How would I go about this?

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Hi gingermusic, where in the UK can I book my oxygen please?

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

You cannot actually book it here, if you look back you will see I gave you all the phone numbers and information 2 years if you ring those numbers they will give you the contact for Bulgaria and you then have to fax all the information they require direct to them

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Only just joined this sight so haven't seen your phone numbers & infor of years ago so if you still have those numbers perhaps you could forward them to me please?

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Ring the Overseas Health Team on 01912181999 and if no help there then Dept of Health on 02072104850 they should between them be able to guide you.

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Tried Dept. of Health they gave me phone numbers for Bulgaria & the emai address, phoned & emailed them no reply just ignore me!!

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Try the other number tomorrow

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

will do thank you so much, will let you know how I get on

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Ok I wish you well it is so not easy is it?

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

I'm beginning to think that its not worth the bother but then I really do want to see my son. Can't believe how difficult it is, heigh ho. Take care

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

That is how I feel hence the fact I have not been abroad for a holiday for almost 4 years now. It is to much trouble to organise. Could your son not visit you instead?

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

phoned the Overseas Health folk & they can't help me out either. I think having my sons partner, a Bulgarian is maybe a hindrance rather than a help. Her English is good but not sure its good enough for translating! I also phone the Bulgarian embassy in London as suggested by the Dept of health, they have two numbers you can call I tried both, they were engaged, then would ring, you then have to state you want English then you get their menu. I pressed for the operator the line instantly went dead! Dialled these two numbers again & again trying different menu numbers they would either ring out or the line would go dead. After ½ hour of this I decide to email them filled in the form tried to send it no luck, checked I had done all that I needed to do, no success........ why oh why did my son decide to go to Bulgaria??? Slowly losing the will to live, reckon he certainly needs to come here!

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Maybe he would visit you if you offered to help him with the fare as you could use what you would have spent to go there, that way it might make it easier for him.

So sorry my ideas have not helped I have never had that amount of trouble before but then I have never been to Bulgaria, always Spain or the Canary Islands.

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

One last idea is could your daughter in law explain the situation at her local chemist and just see if they can offer any help? Worth a try

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

gingermusic you have been a great help to me as someone who has listened & come up with some very good ideas. Your latest one with a chemist is another sound one & I'll see if they will do that. Thanks

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

I am always happy to try and help where I can as I know only to well what a right nightmare it is getting oxygen abroad.

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Hi gingermusic, I have been in communication with a chap called Andy who lives in Aberdeen, found him through British Lung Foundation & he has been brilliant. He told me the PSI is found on the cylinders which are 20 PSI you then sort the flow rate which in my case is 1 litre per minute x 8 hours. He also has a continuous flow portable condensing machine I can hire for £150 pw but because I found him through the BLF his charge is £120! Meanwhile my son thinks his partner is now onto something so might get lucky after all. Fingers X'd

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow that was certainly helpful for you and how kind of him to be so helpful. Do you also live in Scotland? If not I was just wondering how he would get the machine to you.

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

I live in Chelmsford, he was going to have the machine couried to me & collected on my return from BG, all the cost of hiring the machine

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

That is really most generous of him

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

well now gingermusic, my son's partner has sourced a condenser for me so looks like I'll have to get my flight my booked. Worldwide oxygen also could supply me in BG but wanted nearly 1000 euro, I will have to pay 140 lev a week which equates to £60 pw, so watch this space

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Wow that is indeed brilliant news get that plane booked and thoroughly enjoy your visit with your son.

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Just to let you know gingermusic that I have my Bulgarian flights booked going out 18th May return 6th June

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

Well done really happy for you, hope you have a really great time. Love Ruth

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you Ruth

[Hidden]

Try Smile rehab. They sell and rent out a variety of portable concentrators with no hard sell and excellent service. They will also let you try before you buy, usually at no cost. Quite a few people on here would recommend them. x

[grannybell in reply to Hidden]

Quite agree. They are very good.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

searched their site but only found things for teeth, or wheelchairs, no oxygen condensors, perhaps they not longer do them!!

[halsa]

Dear Choccie,

You have received some replies regarding detail to the flight. If you read the booklets your Mums Oxygen supplier gave her when they first supplied her for the NHS you will find that with sufficient notice for a foreign hotel stay they will give you a supplier in that area, who will ensure her concentrator is installed as she arrives, the NHS does not pay for thius you need to pay privately, I am on long term 24/7 oxygen and have done this several times with 3 NHS suppliers.

If she is going on a cruise their is a UK supplier who charge £100 per week they deliver the concentrator to the ship once you have boarded and install it in your cabin while you are there and before the ship sails.

If you need more details please do not hesitate to contact me via my page of detail.

Best Regards,

Halsa

[Choccie]

Hi all,

thanks for the answers so far. She doesn't need the oxygen on the flight, just at night.

Good to know we can get local suppliers, we'll also look at hiring something she could take with her as they are hugely expensive to buy.

Is there any allowance by the airlines for having it as I guess it is extra baggage but I'd not want it to go in the hold in case it went missing or got damanegd. People can take things like buggies on so is there any extra allowance for medical stuff?

Choccie

[Hidden in reply to Choccie]

I took my portable concentrator as hand luggage, used the airlines oxygen in flight and used my concentrator whilst on holiday. This saved me the expense of hiring oxygen abroad. Some companies provide in some areas but you will probably have to pay for an oxygen concentrator if you do not take your own. I hope you all enjoy the holiday. x

[weeannie60]

hi choccie im going to florida on 19th may im on oxy 16/24 this is only new to me so i was all over the place about getting oxy concentrator for flight and daily usage i tried a few companies and it ranged from 500 pounds but tens.co i got 2 weeks hire for 295 and they supply free batteries and will work out what you need delivery and pick up are free hope this helps a little bit for you xx

[Aidnash in reply to weeannie60]

Hi can i ask for the full email address cant seem to find it.  Thanks

[broadband1]

get in touch with the spanish health care they provide a concentrator free but takes a while to organize i was going to do it myself but managed to buy one on this site remember to look for type pulse flow or free flow u can download the forms

[gingermusic]

Currently if your going to holiday anywhere within the EU you can obtain free oxygen with the use of your EICC card. To start with you need to telephone either The Overseas Health Team on 0191-2181999 or The Dept of Health Customer Service on 02072104850 and they should be able to give you a contact name and number in the country you will be going to. It is then up to you to contact that person who will then need a full address of where you will be staying with a phone number and your holiday dates. You may then be asked to fax them copies of your passport, EICC card, and a letter from your doctor with your oxygen needs on it. Its quite a lot of sorting out but worth it as it saves you a lot of money. If you sleep with oxygen you will be supplied a concentrator just like you use at home. If you need oxygen for getting around take note it is often supplied by a portable unit which is rechargeable and only lasts for 4 hours. Hope this helps you all

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you so much gingermusic, I want to go stay with my son in Bulgaria, I use oxygen overnight every night, just 1 litre x 8 hrs. I was given the number of the Authorities in Bulgaria also their email address & they don't answer the phone nor reply to my emails. My son's Bulgarian girlfriend tried their number & was told she should contact private companies which means I will definitely have to pay! However, they want to know what the working pressure is, they need the psi or bar pressure. I've phoned BOC who supply my concentrator they have no idea, then spoke to my Oxygen nurse she has no idea, so I'm really struggling here, any help would be great please?

[gingermusic in reply to Hidden]

I have only ever had to provide them with proof of how much the flow rate is which is probably what they mean. Are Bulgaria in the EU if so you can get oxygen for free against your EICH card.

[Hidden in reply to gingermusic]

sorry gingermusic should have said that Bulgaria is in the EU & I have been told I can use my EHIC card but the Bulgarian Authorities say no use private companies!!

[Ruksana]

Hi Ruksana here so how did you get on did you buy ?and from who ?and did you give it back ? How much of a loss did you make was it easier to keep the machine ? I am asking as I am in a similar situation need help and answers please

[James48]

Hi, there is a company in Manchester called 'Pure O2' who hire out portable oxygen concentrators that you can take abroad. Some links below that might be useful.

healthoxygen.com/

lhch.nhs.uk/media/4058/oxyg...

[Hidden in reply to James48]

Thank you James48 I appreciate your help