Copy

August 2021 Newsletter

Holidays with Dialysis


Welcome to our August newsletter. 

We realise that travel is looking a little different right now, but we are here to help.

We have areas across England that are offering holiday dialysis if you are looking for a staycation this year in the UK.  We offer a completely FREE service for all UK patients wishing to arrange dialysis within the UK thanks to our partnership with Kidney Care UK.

If you are thinking of travelling abroad this year, we also have several areas accepting bookings for holiday dialysis, or if you would like to arrange a trip in 2022 to have something to look forward to, we can also assist with arrangements for next year.

Group Trips - we are hoping that 2022 will see the return of our much loved groups see our groups section below for more information.

The EHIC/GHIC is still accepted in many European Countries for UK EHIC/GHIC holders and covers the cost of dialysis treatment in accepting units.  We have more information below on this and details on how to apply for the new GHIC.

Our feature destination this month is a travel blog from our very own Laura who recently travelled to Tenerife.

We look forward to bringing some safe travel in 2021.


 www.holidaydialysis.co.uk

info@holidaydialysis.co.uk

01509815999



 

                        Group Trips 2022

Our groups trips are something special, and we have missed them over the last 18 months.  Whether you wish to travel alone on our groups or with your partner, companion or family - our groups are open to everyone.  We are hoping we can safely bring back groups in 2022 and would love to hear from you all if you would like to join us.

We are hoping to offer two groups at the moment for 2022, in May and September 2022, details will be annonuced later this year.  If you would like to be added to our groups mailing list to be the first to be notified of details when available please email laura@holidaydialysis.co.uk to register your interest.

May 2022 - TBC

September 2022 - TBC

 

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is being phased out following the Brexit deal in favour of a new, free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Here's what you need to know, including what the two cards are, who needs which one and how to get a GHIC for free.  (EHIC and GHIC are FREE via the official NHS website).

For kidney patients this will mean you can continue to access dialysis, or other specialist treatments like oxygen therapy when you travel in the EU using your EHIC. If your EHIC has expired you can apply for a new one, which will be renamed the GHIC, with GHIC standing for ‘Global Healthcare Insurance Card’. As previously, this does not replace the need for you to take out travel insurance but it does mean that the cost of your dialysis will be covered if you dialyse at a public unit (this should also be agreed in advance when booking your holiday dialysis). As before, you may need to make a contribution towards the cost of dialysis because of the unit/country where you were having treatment, but in most cases it will be free of charge to you.


EHICs and GHICs are essentially the same thing – what do they cover?

If you're a UK national living in the UK, the only real difference is in the name:

  • The EHIC entitles you to the same treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in the EU that locals are entitled to, at the same cost (so in some cases it could be free).
  • The GHIC does the same, but despite being called a 'Global' Health Insurance Card, like the EHIC, it too only works within the EU.

Before Brexit, and during last year's transition period, the EHIC entitled UK holders living in the UK to the above when travelling in the EU. Plus it extended to non-EU countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as some other overseas territories. Sadly, neither card is valid outside the EU as of 1 January 2021 if you're a UK citizen living in the UK.

Neither card is a replacement for travel insurance, as they don't cover holiday cancellation, mountain rescue, repatriation and more. Travel insurance should always be taken out to fully cover you.

If I have a valid, in-date EHIC, do I need a GHIC?

Not if you're a UK national living in the UK. If you currently have an EHIC, you can continue to use it in the EU until the card expires, even if that is years away.

How do I check my EHIC expiry?

The expiry date is on the bottom right of the physical card, so check if you've still got time left on yours.

So who needs a GHIC?

If you're a UK national living in the UK, when your EHIC expires or you're applying for the first time, you'll now need to get a free GHIC instead.

How do I get a free GHIC?  

You need to go via the official Government website: Apply for a free GHIC via the official website.


The announcement of a continued reciprocal healthcare agreement is much welcomed, and we hope that we can all begin to travel again soon.

 

 



Together with Kidney Care UK
we run the FREE UK dialysis swap scheme.
If you’re looking to take a break in the UK
and need to arrange dialysis away from base,
give us a call on 01509 808 668, email info@dialysisfreedom.co.uk or visit our website
https://dialysisfreedom.co.uk/ 
 



 
Travel insurance is an important extra when travelling with medical conditions.  We recommend All Clear who offer insurance to cover pre-existing medical conditions.  You will need to go through a medical screening over the telephone or online call 01708 339028 quoting referal code FRH for your holiday insurance quote.

 

                     Laura's Tenerife travel blog

Welcome to my travel blog.  Some of you may have spoken to me here at Freedom over the years, or met me on group trips or conferences.  My name is Laura, I have been at Freedom for over 21 years now.  I am passionate about travel, and in particular dialysis travel.  I recently returned from a wonderful holiday in Tenerife with my family and thought I would write a blog with information on the process and experience of travelling today with the current covid travel procedures and protocols.

We booked a 7 night All Inclusive holiday to Costa Adeje, Tenerife via TUI as a package holiday - so this included our flights, accommodation, return airport transfers and we also added TUI's covid testing packages which are provided by a company called Chronomics.  We travelled as a family of 2 adults and 4 children (between 11-17yrs).

Tenerife, in the Canary Islands is currently on the UK's amber list of the traffic light travel system.  This means currently that fully vaccinated adults or children under 18 years old are exempt from any quarantine on return.  Non vaccinated adults are required to quarantine on return for 10 days, with the option of a day 5 test to release to get out of the quarantine on day 5 after a negative PCR. 

Before travelling we carried out our PCR tests (only required if not fully vaccinated or over 12 years of age)  If you are fully vaccinated you can download a vaccination certificate from the NHS website to show when travelling.  Our tests were home kits which were posted to us by Chronomics, the testing company working with TUI holidays.  We carried out the tests within 72 hours of our arrival flight time, and dropped them off to our local TUI store that had a testing drop off service.  The next day we received our results via the testing app or you can log into their website once you have registered your tests and all updates on them are available there.  We downloaded the test certificates, and although you can present them on your phone at the airports, we also printed copies of everything - which we found useful and made things quicker at the airports.  You are also required to complete the Spanish Travel health entry form online 48hrs before arrival.

We arrived at East Midlands airport 2 hours before our flight to check in, presented our tests or vaccination proof and also showed our completed Spanish Travel health entry forms along with the usual passports.  We checked in smoothly, passed through security and before long, enjoyed some refreshments in departures.  The flight was smooth, and we arrived into Tenerife ahead of schedule.  

On entry into Tenerife passport control, your passports are checked - and now stamped too!  Just after passport control we were then asked to show our negative test proof or vaccination proof and also our completed Spanish Travel health entry forms.  It was all very efficient and speedy and we were through - collected our bags and on the way to our hotel.  Masks are to be worn (unless medically exempt) throughout the airports and also in Tenerife on transport, inside shops and restaurants to enter, once seated you can remove them.  Around our hotel, masks were again required when walking around public areas inside only, outside and around the pool masks were not required, or once seated at the inside restaurants.

Life in Tenerife felt great - the weather was sun, sun and more sun.  We all thoroughly enjoyed our trip, and felt safe to enjoy our time.  We visited the beaches, the local markets and shops, restaurants and even the infamous Siam Park Water park which certainly is worthy of its number 1 in the World on Trip Advisor.

Before returning, we carried out our lateral flow tests in our hotel room (within 72hrs of your return flight) these were posted to us before we travelled, so we carried them in our luggage.  We uploaded the results online via the Chronomics testing portal and again received our test certificates within a short space of time to travel back with and completed our UK locator form on the .gov website within 48hrs of travelling.  You are also required to enter on this form your day 2 PCR test booking reference, again our tests for day 2 on arrival in the UK were home PCR tests provided by Chronomics.  Our hotel also offered testing for return lateral flows, by a doctor who came into the hotel each day, at the cost of €25 each - many hotels and resorts are offering this.

On departure and at check in at Tenerife airport we were asked to show our negative lateral flow proof and our UK  locator forms.  Again check in was smooth and after review of these, we were swiftly in the departures area in plenty of time.

On arrival back into East Midlands airport, we passed passport control quickly, no other checks were made here, as all other documentation is checked before you leave your holiday destination.

We completed our day 2 PCR tests at home, sent them off in pre registered recorded post packaging provided by the testing provider and a few days later our results were back - all negative!

Travel can seem a daunting process at the moment, but as long are you are aware of what is required, the processes are simple and easy to follow.  Testing is readily available across the UK and abroad if required and there are some great testing packages on offer.  Testing is minimal when fully vaccinated.

For us as a family - the joy a holiday gave us far outweighed the travel requirements and we are already thinking about our next one!

I hope this blog was informative and gave you an insight into travelling as it is right now.

Big Love,


Laura xxxx






 



If you would like more information on a dialysis holiday and the services we offer, you can contact us via email info@holidaydialysis.co.uk or call 01509815999

                                Take a holiday the Freedom way!


 
       
Do you know about Kidney Care UK and the services they offer?


Kidney Care UK are the UK's leading kidney patients support charity, providing practical, financial, and emotional support for kidney patients and families across the UK.

Kidney Care UK provide support for more than 100 patients every week and invest over £3 million each year in patient grants.  They provide practical and emotional support, funding patient research projects and improving care services.

Visit their website for further information and download their patient support services guide www.kidneycareuk.org




 


Our travel partners Millington Travel are both ABTA and ATOL and IATA license protected for your peace of mind.  The largest independent travel agency in Leicestershire.  Offering a wide range of holiday choices why not let our team at Millington Travel look into your next holiday quote.

Call 01164120040


Email: freedomholidays@millingtontravel.com 
 
Facebook
Facebook
Website
Website
Copyright © 2015 freedom, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
info@holidaydialysis.co.uk

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Freedom The Dialysis Holiday Specialist · 8 Flaxland Crescent · Sileby · Leicester, Leicestershire LE12 7SB · United Kingdom

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp