Private Fitness-to-fly hypoxia tests

[Swoodle]

Is anyone able to give me the name of a private company who provides a fitness-to-fly hypoxia inhalation test? It has been suggested that my husband should take one of these but it may take up to six weeks for a hospital appointment and we are due to fly in just under 3. We are in North Yorkshire but could travel within reason. Thanks.

[Bevvy]

Who suggested a fit to fly test? Was it your gp or consultant? If so they should be able to point you in the right direction for a private test. Otherwise it may be worth phoning some of the larger private healthcare providers such as Bupa to enquire if they do it or know anywhere that does the test.

[Swoodle in reply to Bevvy]

It was a stand-in for the consultant he usually sees (who said he didn’t need one in late November). They referred him for a hospital test but didn’t mention private (and we were a bit shell-shocked at the time being told he shouldn’t fly to ask further). Thanks for your advice though, I’ll follow those up.

[Bevvy in reply to Swoodle]

Did new person carry out further tests to backup the decision? Otherwise can you urgently contact consultant to ask about this? Can’t see why if consultant deemed unnecessary that a few weeks later it’s changed! Is your husband on oxygen? Sorry for lots of questions but seems a large jump. However ultimately if it is in notes that requires fit to fly then you will have to obtain the certificate or your holiday is at risk. Definitely your insurance wouldn’t pay out if you have travelled under those circumstances I’m afraid. Even if it was absolutely nothing to do with actual claim. Insurance would use lack of test to avoid paying out.

Hope you are able to sort something quickly.

[Swoodle in reply to Bevvy]

They carried out a walking test that he has never had before. The problem is, it either wasn’t explained properly, or he didn’t listen (!) but he thought he had to prove just how far and how fast he could do it! Consequently, his oxygen levels dropped very fast. Even the respiratory nurse said you should just have gone slower and then we wouldn’t have had any problem. But the doctor just took the numbers in the screen, despite this being a man who walks 3 or so miles with the dog every day without problems. He isn’t on oxygen and never has been but she suggested he would need it for walking up stairs! He can walk upstairs as quickly as I can and I don’t have a lung condition.

Now that they’ve said it, I can’t “unhear” it, if you know what I mean, and am worried that he may have problems on the flight. The beg problem is the timing otherwise we would just wait for the NHS appt. I think a call to the consultant might be a good idea.

Thanks for your communications - much appreciated.

[Ern007 in reply to Bevvy]

Read this from All Clear - The insurance I always used with my conditions. Tells you all you need to know about fit to fly and the cost.

allcleartravel.co.uk/blog/f...

[Patk1]

Have u spoken to the airlines special assistance? They'll tell u what,if anythings required.theyll also give u free additional weight,if required,for medical equipment x

[PaulineHM]

Hello Swoodle,

Sorry to read that your husband is in this predicament just before you are due to fly away on holiday.

The usual procedure ( in my experience ) a few years ago is/was :-

1/ Oxygen Assessment by the local NHS Home Oxygen team. If your husband requires ambulatory oxygen he will need a prescription.

On prescription, equipment will be provided by the NHS although this cannot be taken out of this country. So an oxygen machine ( usually a portable oxygen concentrator) will needed to be purchased or rented from a private company. Airlines require prior authentication of the machine to be carried on or used during flight. Two batteries + are required to cover the journey. A private machine cannot be purchased without an oxygen prescription.

2/ A hypoxic challenge test - to determine if in flight oxygen supplementation is required. Sometimes local hospitals provide private tests.

3/ Before we attempt to fly with oxygen then most airlines will require a fit to fly assessment usually provided by the GP, for the outward journey and sometimes for the return journey too.

I have been through this procedure a number of times when travelling to Europe and indeed to the US as well. Eventually as my oxygen requirement increased then flying made me very unwell. Cabin pressure affect our oxygen levels quite substantially. My current oxygen requirement does not allow me to fly as the airlines do not accept liquid oxygen.

I hope things work out for you.

Go well,

Pauline