We are looking at taking our 9 year old son abroad for a week for a break.
he had mitral valve repair surgery mid March.
the cardiologist has said it’s fine to abroad but we are extremely worried.
Can anyone advise where is best to go incase he needs medical intervention and can anyone guide us to the best holiday insurance providers.
It’s been a tough year and we just want to get back to a bit of normality. 🥺
Hi, I wouldn't have much idea where to go, but, the first thing to do is apply for a GHIC card. This is the replacement for EHIC. I applied for cards earlier this year and they came within a couple of weeks.
There are so many posts on here about Travel Insurance, but, I just think it's down to your own circumstances, to see which are best. I'm covered by my Bank, and that includes for multiple Heart related matters including surgeries and non-heart related. My wife on the other hand isn't covered because she had a stroke and the meds that go with it.
Whilst sorting insurance for her, I used one of the comparison sites, and one thing that became clear is that all these companies seem to use the same template for questions. I spoke with a couple of companies before I took the insurance out. This was reinforced when I also spoke with the bank, all questions were the same. It might be worthwhile having a look at one and you can more or less rehearse what you would more than likely be asked if you speak with someone.
Obviously, I've always taken insurance out for an adult, but, it's never been a problem for me going back to the mid-90s when Valve Surgery is involved.
I hope the above makes sense.
Best wishes
Heed
Why not have a holiday in the UK ToniLou? Give your son time to recover for his next school year in September! My third youngest and wife went to Wales camping near amazing waterfalls! But there are so many amazing places in the UK and traveling abroad I wouldn't risk that yet with a 9 year old after 4 months recovery!
I would wait until next year! Look after him and relax as I had 4 children and now have 5 Grandchildren from 2 -11 years old!
Take care 🙂
It honestly doesn’t sit well at all going abroad and was just speaking to someone at work saying I think we should wait until next year. All he wants is to get on a plane somewhere nice though, actually he mentioned a cruise🙈
But I agree, next year hopefully.
I have looked in the UK but not guaranteed weather and it’s so expensive considering your not going afar! 🙄
It depends what you want ToniLou! But surely you are able to go for a nice day out somewhere without having to spend lots of money! Depends where you live I suppose 👍
Hi, sorry to hear about your son and wish him a speedy recovery.
As for where to go I would suggest you pick somewhere and then do a little research on whether that country can provide good enough health care if needed.
As for insurance there are 3 providers which seem to pop up on here :-
csis.co.uk/travel-insurance - now open to all not just civil servants
I am currently looking myself for insurance and have been quoted by all 3 of the above, CSIS comes out on top for me and I will be going with them.
Tip :- do an online quotation request and do not act on them, a day or two later they send you a discount code 
Tonilou travel insurance for a cruise may be cost prohibitive. Have you thought about the Channel Islsnds. You can fly to Jersey from most airports and the weather is slightly better than ours. There's lots for children and adults to do and the island has a French vibe whilst being very much British. Guernsey, Alderney and Sark can all be easily reached if you want a day out. Its a good compromise x
I'd take Becksagogo's advice if I were you, ToniLou. The Channel Islands are lovely, your son would get his plane ride, and you might even manage a day trip over to France.
Hi. Im so sorry your son needed such a big op at such a young age, I hope he is recovering well. From what I can gather places like Holland, Germany and France have excellent healthcare services and if you have a ghic card then you can access them. I’d always get travel insurance too though. I had a mitral valve replacement in January and I’m going abroad in nov (long haul). The cardiologist has no problem with this and told me to get on with living my life. I can understand why you feel worried going abroad but if he’s recovered well from his op and the cardiologist is happy then he’s not going to be at any more risk going to Europe than he would be in this country. Perhaps pick somewhere relatively close like France, Germany, Holland or the Channel Islands though as it may put your mind at ease. It’s such a shame that the cost of holidays in this country are so high, especially during the school holidays. Wherever you go, I hope you have a lovely time.
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