Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Oxygen and air travel

Before booking, check if you need to:

  • Contact the Customer Contact Centre to tell them you need oxygen.
  • Have your oxygen delivery system approved by the airline in advance.
  • Provide your own oxygen supply, or arrange for the airline to provide it for you?
  • Pay an additional charge?

You are not allowed to take the oxygen equipment supplied by Health Facilities Scotland out of Scotland.

Remember

If you are travelling outside Scotland, to somewhere else in the UK, you will need to contact Health Facilities Scotland to arrange your Oxygen supply.
If you are travelling outside the UK you will need to arrange your own oxygen supply.

For more information please see the Oxygen therapy section of this website.

Also consider:

  • If you are using a portable oxygen concentrator, will there be a power supply available? If not, make sure you have enough batteries to last the whole journey, including transit and delays.
  • Is there a weight restriction?
  • How will it need to be stowed?
  • Will it affect your luggage allowance?
  • Do you need someone to help you use your oxygen? This may mean that you need to travel with somebody who can assist you.


NB Some airlines have a set limit on the number of people who require oxygen allowed on board a flight. If you have an onward connection with a different airline remember that their conditions for travel may be different. Check the same details with them.

Oxygen – rest of the UK

  • Check that your accommodation and chosen mode of transport will accept oxygen.
  • Then contact Health Facilities Scotland so that they can have an oxygen supply ready for your arrival.
  • Carry enough oxygen/ensure enough battery life for the journey.
  • Avoid air travel if possible.

Holiday requests must be made in writing, information required:

  1. Full postal address of holiday destination.
  2. Inclusive dates of holiday.
  3. Permission from the owner of the property to allow the use of oxygen equipment and for the equipment to be delivered before arrival and collected after departure.
  4. A contact telephone number.

Ideally 4-6 weeks notice is required, although they will always try to help.
A minimum stay is required if Liquid oxygen is to be arranged.
Requests will be acknowledged in writing.

Oxygen – Staying within Scotland

  • OxygenCheck that your accommodation and chosen mode of transport will accept oxygen.
  • Carry enough oxygen/ensure enough battery life for the journey.
  • Then contact Health Facilities Scotland so that they can have an oxygen supply ready for your arrival.

Holiday requests must be made in writing, information required:

  1. Full postal address of holiday destination.
  2. Inclusive dates of holiday.
  3. Permission from the owner of the property to allow the use of oxygen equipment and for the equipment to be delivered before arrival and collected after departure.
  4. A contact telephone number.

Ideally 4-6 weeks notice is required, although they will always try to help.
Requests will be acknowledged in writing.

Cruises

  • cruiseDiscuss your needs with your travel agent, or check if the cruise company has a dedicated helpline for those requiring assistance. This will allow you to discuss all you needs.
  • If you are taking your car to the terminal, find out if you can book a disabled space near to the entrance or boarding area.
  • Look on-line or check with the cruise company or port operator to see if there are maps of the port or cruise terminal. This will help you to decide if you need assistance.
  • Think about what kind of cabin you will need, for example close to the stairs, or with wheelchair access. Discuss this with the cruise company or travel agent.
  • Remember to take all your medication in hand luggage. Make sure you have enough to take during your stay.
  • Try to give as much notice as possible to make sure assistance can be provided.

For more information:

Medical forms
You may need to complete a medical form to inform the Cruise company if you have:

  • Restricted mobility.
  • Medications.
  • Dietary requirements.

Do you need help when travelling?

Not everybody will need extra help to travel.

  • If you do, check if the transport company has a dedicated helpline for those requiring assistance. This will allow you to discuss all your needs.
  • If you are taking your car to a station or ferry terminal or airport, find out if you can book a disabled space near to the entrance or boarding area.
  • Ask if you can reserve seating – for example close to the toilet, or with wheelchair access.
  • Some transport companies may have a form that you can fill out in advance to let them know what help you need.
  • Look online to see if there are maps of stations or terminals. This will help you to decide if you need assistance. Remember you may need to walk large distances in some airports.
  • Try to give as much notice as possible to make sure assistance can be provided.

For more information:

Oxygen and public transport

  • Portable oxygen is generally not a problem on public transport. However, checking ahead will give you peace of mind.
  • The transport company is unlikely to guarantee a power supply so if you use a concentrator make sure you have enough battery life.

Remember

If you are travelling outside Scotland, to somewhere else in the UK, you will need to contact Home Oxygen Service Website to arrange your Oxygen supply. The home oxygen service in Scotland is provided by Dolby Vivisol.

If you are travelling outside the UK you will need to arrange your own oxygen supply.

For more information please see pur section on Oxygen.

Communication cards

Some transport companies may provide a communication card to help you make your journey easier.

  • This will let you tell the driver or conductor that you need some extra help.
  • Sometimes they will have blank spaces for you to fill in details of your destination and special instructions.
  • These can be particularly helpful if you think you will struggle to explain everything because you are feeling breathless.
  • They are also private and discreet. You will be able to inform staff without others overhearing.
  • Scotrail: Accessible travel

Public Transport

pub_transTry to think about whether the journey to your holiday destination, or your travel once you get there, will involve public transport.

  • The transport company can often help to make your journey easier.
  • This can involve reserving accessible seating, physical assistance, or cards to help you let them know about your needs.
  • You may also be entitled to a discounted ticket.
  • Check ahead whether you will be able to use equipment such as portable oxygen, or devices that require a power source.
  • Transport Scotland: Accessible travel information and links

Additional costs

CostsIn addition to your usual holiday costs such as your insurance, ticket, accommodation and spending money you may find some extra costs:

  • Travel Insurance – this can become more expensive when you have a long term condition.  (Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland: Holiday Information [.pdf] and CHSS Travel and Motor Insurance)
  • Transporting additional equipment such as oxygen.
  • If travelling outside the UK you may need to pay for your own oxygen supply. 
  • You may need to bring a travel companion.
  • Travel to some countries requires additional vaccinations. These can sometimes have a charge.

Vaccinations

  • injection_vialIf you are travelling outside of the UK you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
  • Some vaccinations are free, but you may have to pay for others. For more information visit NHS Inform .
  • Talk to your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic about immunisations at least six weeks before travelling.
  • Some medicines or vaccinations have to be given well in advance of date of travel.
  • You can find out more about which vaccinations you may need by visiting NHS Fit For Travel