Oxygen abroad

[Terrymc]

Hi

I've been looking for a way of going to Europe with oxygen in the summer. A company called Pure O2 quoted me £300 or £380 pw for concentrators delivering the 3 litres ps I need. Does anyone know of a cheaper source?

[AngieB72]

Not sure if you intend flying or not - I have just been to Lanzarote with Thomson holidays and you don't have to pay for oxygen on their planes but I have had to pay £100 each way when using Monarch. Different airlines are different - I think BA is free. Also need fit to fly letter from doctor dated within 30 days of travel.

Don't know how ferries/trains are with oxygen I'm afraid.

I have ambulatory oxygen but it takes over a month to organise it in foreign countries. I got advice from Dept of Health 02072104850. Very, very helpful. Lots of paperwork so I didn't bother, just took it gently whilst away.

I told them I had been quoted an amount like you and they said I would only have to pay if I was on less than 8 hours a day as in Spain the nationals have to pay for this too. Apparently it depends on what the provisions are for each country to what you are entitled to.

Make sure you organise special assistance at airports too.

How I long for the days when I could just pack a case and jump on a plane!!!!!

[scunny in reply to AngieB72]

Hi, we came back from bulgaria by road after a hospital consultant said no flying. With having our own gp out there we were in a position to buy oxygen tank etc.we came back by p & o into hull.they had no problem with it .we informed them on booking & they also met us with wheelchair. Top marks to them.

[Terrymc in reply to scunny]

That was a tidy drive! I'm probably using Brittany Ferries. I'll s3 what they have to say. Thanks!

[Terrymc in reply to AngieB72]

Same here Angie! I'll bear all your advice in mind. Thank you!

[supermario1949]

Terry, that Pure O2 quote is far Too high. There's an Italian company charging €150 pw plus deposit for portable concentrators. If you're interested send me a private message with your details and I will send you theirs. But why aren't you using the EU-wide liquid oxygen free system? Ciao

[Terrymc in reply to supermario1949]

My suppliers, aire liquide, told me they could only do the UK. I'll research the European option. Thanks for your reply.

[supermario1949 in reply to Terrymc]

Terry have a look at oxystore.it or mail them at [e-mail]. They ship anywhere provided you sign their contract and allow them to debit Your card with a refundable deposit. Their Italian name is Helgas, not used internationally for obvious reasons. My wife wanted a portable concentrator for a cruise but gave up after learning that portable pulse concentrators don't work with a night ventilator (you need the fixed heavy version). Good luck

[rogerw117 in reply to Terrymc]

If only Air Liquide (and others) would allow users to take them out of the UK. It would solve so much hassle. I'd be happy (or willing, at least) to sign a waiver or pay an insurance premium of some sort to cover possible damage.

[Scud]

I go to Spain and have oxygen delivered to my friends where I stay and it is free at the moment using your E111 form but I do have to hire one for the travelling and I use pure o2 although a bit pricey they are very reliable. I contacted the British embassy for details for the contacts in Spain

[Terrymc in reply to Scud]

I'm ok when seated so can manage without when traveling most of the time. Thank you for posting.

[gingermusic]

Ring the Dept of Health on 02072104850 for advice and who to contact depending on the country your going to. I have always found that in Europe you can obtain free oxygen on your EICC card. You normally have to fax a copy of your passport, EICC and letter from doctor stating what is required and how often for along with full address & phone number of where you will be staying. Also some airlines provide free oxygen others charge but I do know that both Monarch and Easyjet allow you to take 2 portable cylinders on board at no charge for your use. Again arrange with them at least 1 week prior to going. Longer if possible.

[Terrymc in reply to gingermusic]

Really? I spoke to Dept Health and they didnt mention any of that! Wil try again. Thanks!

[gingermusic in reply to Terrymc]

See if you get any better luck by phoning The Overseas Health Team on 0191-2181999 you may need your National Health Insurance number occasionally its asked for but not always so don't worry if you do not have it to hand

[Terrymc in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you. I'll give them a call.

[Wallynnette]

Hi, this, and the replies are very interesting. I have to have a concentrator for 3lts overnight and found it a nightmare. The air liquide that supply me won't allow any if their equip outside UK. They gave us a No to ring who in turn said no you need to speak to your supplier. We have spoken to dept of health who gave us the Cyprus dept health but no one would answer the phone. Then it was oxygen abroad, they told us to email them all the details that we'd already sent to Cyprus. This was 2 months ago and had no reply and we're going in 2 weeks. We've spent a fortune on the phone ringing all the No's that we were given (uk and abroad) and all seemed to pass us around as though it wasn't their responsibility. We resorted to buying our own airsep 5 which is just a little bigger than the very expensive portable models. As I don't need oxygen whilst traveling this doesn't need batteries. So we asked the airlines if we could take it on board a plane. They hadn't heard of a concentrator before which again caused so many problems. The travel agent welfare team managed to organise that we can take it bubble wrapped on a suitcase trolley with medical equipment labels. I have to take straight to the plane for them to put in the hold as Thompson won't be responsible for how the baggage handlers 'handle' baggage. They've also given us an extra 19kg to allow for it. This is our first time abroad since needing a concentrator and has been an absolute nightmare. All starting from the very first phone call and being told 'you need to book your holiday first, then we can sort it out'. So we did and we've been passed around so many times, you name them we've phoned them. The only person who was of any help was the reservations manager at the hotel whos said she could organise one for €100 euros, nearly took her up on the offer but then thought 'what if its not what I need'. We found most kept mistaking it for cpap or cylinders or anything else apart from a concentrator. So we've bought this airsep 5 so we can still go abroad but possibly by coach or even a cruise or just take it in the motorhome (southern Ireland in May). Good luck and I truly hope you don't get the run around we encountered.

[Terrymc in reply to Wallynnette]

Crikey! That's really informative. I'm going by car and ferry, so I hope things might be simplified. Thank you.

[Wallynnette in reply to Terrymc]

I'm sure people get mixed up with concentrators, they do not contain oxygen all they are is a compressor and the air gets filtered to take other chemicals out thus giving you near pure air. I have a cylinder at home incase of power cut, but I can go a day or so without. As soon as we mentioned and described a concentrator they all (and I mean all) panicked and asked about my cylinders. We've just done a river cruise to Germany and had no problem at all taking our own. But getting via every available dept here in UK or abroad was a joke. As you are driving have you considered buying your own. The portables are stupid money but you can get an airsep 5 for between £700 -£900, fill out a form then its even cheaper as you get the tax back. You've got it then for whenever you go abroad. The only difference between the airsep 5 and a portable is it doesn't have a battery, so its mains only. As I only need at night/sleeping I don't need oxygen whilst flying/traveling.

[Terrymc in reply to Wallynnette]

Thats an interesting idea. Trouble is, I need oxygen for walking. Food for thought though.

[Wallynnette in reply to Terrymc]

Ah! Then its a different kettle of fish entirely if you need a constant supply. Think you might have to bite the bullet and get a portable with battery packs. Take it with whatever your mode of transport.

[Wallynnette in reply to Terrymc]

Actually I was just thinking, I met a woman at a motorhome show last year and she had a great bit of kit. It was the size of a shoe box on a small trolley which gave her continuous oxygen whilst she was out (knackered lungs). It purred away on the ground you could barely hear it. Dare I say it, I was a teeny bit jealous, I wish I had a small one lol.

[supermario1949 in reply to Wallynnette]

You mentioned overnight use. Watch out, only fixed flow (and not portable pulse flow) concentrators are suitable if you use a night ventilator!

[Wallynnette in reply to supermario1949]

Yeah I know, I have to have 3lts per min continuous flow for 10 hrs overnight. I have not been prescribed pulse or anything else.

[Nanny1086]

The first time I flew abroad with oxygen I was petrified,,,,but I booked everything with Monarch airways and I couldn't have made a better choice ,yes I had to pay for the oxygen £180 in all ,but it was soooo worth it ,I was first on the plane they set the oxygen up for me and made sure I was settled and it was working ok before anyone else came on board ,,, and it was the same on the return journey even asked if I needed assistance,(I didn't) yes other airlines do it free but you need a doctors note no more than a week old and proof of fit to fly ,I did have fit to fly lung tests at the hospital before booking the holiday ,and my consultant did me a letter for free stating I was fit to fly with contious oxygen ,if I was lucky enough to pass the flight test again ( which I doubt) I would have no hesitation in booking with monarch ,where ever you go and who ever you book with ,,,have a wonderful time ,😎👍👨‍✈️💃🏻🌺☀️🍹✈️🏝⛱

[Terrymc in reply to Nanny1086]

Aw nanny thats so encouraging! Thank you.

[Terrymc]

Thank to everyone who answered my post. I should have specified where i was going and how. We live and learn!

[Angel150]

Wallynnette

Most counties have their own companies that will rent you the concentrator or other equipment much cheaper than the quote you have received. If you Google Medical equipment suppliers you may come up with some. There is a company I have used in Cyprus - this is their email [e-mail] it is run by a Brit so he may be able to help you in other destinations.

[Maureenpearl]

It is so much easier with cruising, you just have to fill out a medical form with the cruise company and I usually order the oxygen from the company at Southampton (I have to pay) the oxygen is delivered to your room on the ship and you pay.

Last year I decided to buy a concentrator which cost over £2000 and a spare battery and external charger costing over £700. I will be going on a cruise twice this year and it would have cost me about that for the three cruise, so I think it was worth it.

I am not on continuous oxygen, I have 6 litres a minute for moving about, talking, shower, more or less any activity I have to have the oxygen on.

Hope it work out for you.

All the best

Maureen 👍🙏

[Terrymc]

Really? That's certainly worth thinking about. Thank you and enjoy your cruises!

[flo1]

Air Liquide deliver abroad, give them a call and enquire ..good luck!

[kelly2610]

Air Liquide do not deliver abroad. Three times I've flew and used the equipment for three weeks at a time. I pay £150 the first week £100 each subsequent week, also no extra charge for batteries, I get 4. The POC is authorised for all major airlines. P.s. I require oxygen 24/7 and find this company excellent, they hire the same as O2Pure.

Please email me for details.

[karenjenna1146 in reply to kelly2610]

Hi Kelly, not sure if my question has got through to you. Do you have some contact info for the company you used to hire the POC/free batteries? Many thanks Karen

[kelly2610 in reply to karenjenna1146]

Hi sorry about the delay, company I use is oxygentogo.co.uk

I can't fault them.

Also tnsmedical.co.uk is a company I used a few years ago.

All devices able for use on flights.

Hope this has helped.

Kelly x

[karenjenna1146]

Hi Kelly

That's brilliant, thanks so much for the email. I have emailed oxygentogo, much appreciated. You take care. Regards Karen x