Hi
I have been asked to attend the Hypoxic Challenge Test by RBHT due to my lung conditions and I am worried if the test results make me difficult to fly in future or if the hospital will share the test results with the Airlines. I do not know if everytime I fly in future then any airlines will have access online record to check before they allow me to fly
If anyone in this form has taken this test before kindly share your experiences and advise if its a good option to attend this test
No medical results can be shared with anyone without your express permission.
Hi, I'm guessing here, I'd have thought this would be illegal here in the UK under data protection - particularly if you've signed the form at your GP practice forbidding them to share your records...... This may be different in Scotland or Wales. P
Hello enm1sg .
I don't live in the U.K. but I have had to have certification from my hospital to prove I am okay to fly (I use oxygen) My doctor filled out the paperwork and I sent it on to the airline. The airline was given my doctor's name and hospital so they could confirm the contents of the certificate. I know that every time I fly I will need to undergo an evaluation by my pulmonologist and he will need to fill out a fresh form. This is because our conditions are volatile and may change from month to month and season to season.
Travelling at high altitudes is a challenge for us with compromised lungs. It can be dangerous especially for people who already have some level of hypoxemia. I guess the hospital just wants to make sure you are safe when you fly. Personally, I would rather go through the testing and not feel nervous when I travel.
Do you use oxygen?
Take care.
Cas xx 🌻
No, I do not use oxygen at all any time able to walk but last time I had become breathless once during flying and given oxygen during flight and share this experience with hospital consultants and now they say you need a fit to fly certificate before you fly next
i have recently done the Hypoxic challenge test and the answer to your query is No results will be shared with anyone other than yourself and your medical team,in fact you may even have to prod and poke your consultant to get a copy of the result.It is an excellent option to take the test as it is your body that you will be subjecting to desaturation when you fly and you will only harm yourself if you don't follow the test results recommendations........Regards 2 l.p.m Skis and a non flying cat x
I haven’t done the test but I am not allowed to fly anymore. I would take the risk of a pneumothorax.
The Consultant warned me it would be a very costly affair if the plane had to land by the nearest airport because of me!! Imagine compensating all those passengers!! A nightmare!! Train travel for me, a voyage of discovery.
Good point Fran. That would be an awful nightmare. 😱
The Consultant told me about it Cas..it had never crossed my mind..
Makes sense though. It is a horrific thought. I would not want to be in the receiving end of that bill. Train travel is nice, you can take in scenery you'd never see from a plane. xx 🌿
Before I was diagnosed with LAM I was flying, pumping Ventolin, not knowing of the risk. Then of course it changed I was liable..so yes train it is.. I am not a cruise fan..but it takes time, well I have time. I have to make stopovers if it is a long trip. Xx
No, the Hospital will not share your results with anyone. But if you do not disclose any adverse result to an Airline and to your travel insurers then it could be very costly for you if anything were to go wrong - you would have made a false declaration and woud be responsible for the financial consequences of that. If you want to fly and have a lung condition it is essential that you contact the Airline well in advance, and they may need a "Fitness to Fly" certificate from your Doctor.
No the results of the test aren’t shared. If you pass then you fly as usual. If you fail and it’s decided that you need oxygen to fly then this is something you arrange with the airline pre flight. All airlines are different with different procedures etc. If you need oxygen to fly and don’t declare it you wouldn’t be insured. I used to only need oxygen to fly, it’s quite an ordeal to get it sorted but worked well for me eventually. Unfortunately now I need ambulatory oxygen and flying will be a whole new ball game! Good luck.
We have just booked a holiday and I have mild copd which we will tell our travel insurance. Do I have to tell the airline too?
No. Unless you need oxygen whilst in flight. Enjoy your holiday.
Thanks joy, had a panic then!
Greetings
Only once did I push my luck, and flew to and from Singapore (13 hour flights) without oxygen. It almost killed me. I had fitness to fly tests every time after that and was told what litreage of oxygen I needed. At the time I used 4 litres ambulatory but had to have 2 litres of oxygen for the whole flight.
It's at that point you have to tell the airline that you use oxygen and fill in their medical form with the flight test results. Most airlines are very accommodating and Virgin Atlantic supply oxygen for free. Other airlines allow you to use your own concentrator.
If you use oxygen, please don't attempt a flight without a test? Sod the compensation problems -- it could kill you!
Catnip
Just to updates my fellow friends that, I had a test this week and all find good and got certificate to fly without any need for oxygen
Many thanks for all your kind help and advice and God bless everybody on this planet earth and the Universe.
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