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Case Studies

Skiing Conundrum

Skiing Conundrum

Scenario:

A regular feature of the skiing season is broken bones, ruptured and strained ligaments which usually require immobilisation via plaster, brace or bandage. When dealing with lower limb injuries it is important when at altitude to ensure that the limb has elevation and extension, both for comfort and to reduce the risk of swelling and/or deep vein thrombosis.

For patients with these types of injury, leg elevation is required during repatriation and this is usually facilitated by purchase of two extra seats on the planned flight in order to provide three seats in total. Occasionally when flights are very busy, this can be more difficult and the required solution needs some creative thought.

A 14 year old travelling with a large family party damaged his knee in a skiing accident. He was treated and a knee brace was applied. Specialty Repatriation were contacted to assist with his return travel arrangements. Usual checks were carried out on the claim to ensure that the insurance was valid and covered the activity undertaken. A review of the medical report was carried out to verify the injury and the additional travel requirements. The family were instructed that they would need to get a certificate to fly for the 14 year old, as this would be required by the airline.

Specialty Repatriation then addressed the in-flight requirements via our travel agents in an effort to obtain the additional two seats on the planned flight. The news was not good. The planned return date fell in the middle of the two UK school half-term weeks and this was the busiest travel weekend of the winter season. There was no availability on the planned flight and in fact no availability from the departure airport at all.

Thinking laterally Specialty Repatriation managed to find 2 seats on another aircraft from another airport 3 hours drive in the other direction. But with only 2 seats this was not enough to accommodate the patient never mind a travel companion.

The decision was reached and after a full and frank conversation with the family it was agreed that we should book two other members of the party on the flight from the alternative airport thus freeing up the two necessary seats on the planned flight for the patient.

Specialty Repatriation made the appropriate bookings and liased with necessary airlines and tour operator to ensure all was acceptable by them, prior to the patient flying. Appropriate road transport was arranged for both sets of travellers in the UK and overseas.

The patient was successfully repatriated after some creative thinking and reducing claims expenses to Underwriters.

Other Case Studies