When someone falls ill or is injured while abroad, getting them home can be a worry for the whole family. For many patients in Europe who are medically stable, repatriation by road is a practical option. This is general information and the right choice always depends on the patient's medical needs.
Who decides if road transport is suitable?
The treating doctors decide whether the patient is fit to travel and how. Ask for a clear medical summary and any restrictions, for example lying flat, oxygen or medication timing. Air or ambulance flight repatriation is a different service and is usually arranged through an insurer or specialist air provider.
Check your insurance first
- Contact the travel insurer as soon as possible and ask what is covered.
- Ask whether they will arrange the repatriation themselves or approve a provider of your choice.
- Keep policy numbers, reference numbers and the names of the people you speak to.
What we need from you
- The patient's current location and the hospital or address in the UK they are returning to
- A medical summary, mobility needs, weight, oxygen and any infection risks
- The preferred date, and any date the hospital will discharge the patient
- Passport and travel documents for the patient and any escort
What the journey involves
A road repatriation needs a trained crew, a suitable ambulance or wheelchair vehicle, planned rest stops and border and ferry or tunnel crossings. We plan the route and timings around the patient's comfort and medical needs, then hand over safely to the receiving team in the UK.
Talk to us
Westron Care arranges patient repatriation within the UK and from Europe by road, by arrangement. Call us with the patient's details and we will advise honestly whether road transport is likely to be suitable and what to prepare.
