Q: Who is this guidance for?
A: This guidance relates to patients living in England only (or registered with an English GP), who are on some form of dialysis treatment. If you live outside of England (or are registered with a GP outside of England) then you will need to ask your renal team to find out how to organise your dialysis away from base. ‘Base’ refers to the place where a patient normally has their dialysis treatment.
Q: Is it easy to organise to have DAFB?
A: Whilst it does take some planning for DAFB to take place, our team will be able to help you with organising DAFB. It is best to give as much notice as possible before you plan to go away. This is usually a minimum of 2-4 weeks. Due to the risk of passport issuing delays, it is also advisable to make sure that you have all the relevant travel documents needed for travelling abroad in plenty of time before arranging visits to other countries.
Q: Will I have to pay for my DAFB?
A: No, not in an NHS unit in the UK, nor in those private units with which the NHS has made an agreement to pay, but you will of course have to pay for your travel and accommodation costs. If the unit is private you will need to check that they have an agreement with the NHS, that the NHS will pay.
For outside of the UK the rules on whether you have to pay are different depending on where you dialyse.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The EHIC is available free of charge at the following web site
https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do or phone 0300 3301350.
For haemodialysis outside of the EEA or a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement you will be expected to pay for full cost of the treatment. DAFB outside of EEA or reciprocal countries may not be regulated by a country's health policy, and you will need to make checks about the quality of the service. Before you book your dialysis you need to check for example, the type of dialysis service provided, the number of doctor and nursing staff, machines, back up machines provided, and the experience of the renal team in providing dialysis. For some destinations it may be wise to take some of the consumables used in dialysis with you, this needs to be agreed with your usual renal unit.
Q: Will I get my usual transport to and from dialysis?
A: You will need to check that there is transport available at the unit that you are planning to use for the times that you will be dialysing there. If you meet the eligibility criteria for having transport provided to and from dialysis sessions at your home unit, you may be able to receive this transport free of charge but this is in England only. Your renal team can help with finding out about what the transport arrangements are before you book your DAFB.
Q: Can any dialysis patient go on holiday?
A: Yes off course but a decision has to be made whether a patient is suitable to dialyse at another facility and whether they are clinically well enough to travel (e.g. a patient with complex needs who normally receives haemodialysis at a main renal centre would not usually be able to dialyse at a nurse led satellite unit).
Q: As a patient can I arrange dialysis away from base myself?
A: We advise patients to make use of their ‘holiday coordinator’ or named nurse when arranging DAFB. our web site may be able to offer some practical advice and find a slot within the UK through their ‘swap’ scheme www.turkmed.co.uk We also provide help and information on DAFB outside of the UK.
Q: What happens if I cannot get dialysis where I want it?
A: Unfortunately dialysis capacity at some locations is scarce and you may have to consider looking at dialysis further away from your initial destination, so we advise booking as far in advance as possible.
Q: How often can I have DAFB?
A: There is unrestricted access to DAFB, subject to availability etc and as long as you are considered suitable and well enough to dialyse at another facility. The frequency and length of sessions of DAFB may be different from your normal routine and this is something you will need to understand before you confirm your DAFB.
Q: Are there any specific policies in place for infection control?
A: Yes. The Department of Health updated guidelines in 2010, with a specific mention of Blood Bourne Viruses (BBV) and DAFB; and some units/regions have their own additional policies. These will only apply to United Kingdom (UK) and although other countries will have similar guidelines these may not be as strict as the UK guidelines. There is a particular risk of BBV in South East Asia, Africa and the Middle East. To find out more about this you will need to see your renal doctor or nurse.
Q: What should I do about medication?
A: It is advisable to plan what medications you will need to cover your stay and take those with you. If travelling by plane you should consider putting your medications in your hand luggage and check with travel providers what their policies (if any) are on carrying/declaring medications and medical equipment. If you are able to carry a repeat prescription with you that should provide practical evidence;
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes. It is very important that you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you whilst you are away from the UK. The potential charges that you would have to pay if you required any additional medical treatment whilst away could easily run into thousands of pounds. It is important to check the small print for any exclusions that may apply for health care abroad that is covered under the insurance policy.
In the light of the current passport issuing delays, to ensure all relevant travel documents needed for travelling abroad are obtained or are up to date before arranging visits to other countries.
Q: Am I allowed to take the dialysis equipment I need on the plane with me?
A: By equipment this includes dialysis machines and also any dialysis consumables you may have given to use whilst you are away. Under European law, disabled people and other people with reduced mobility have legal rights to assistance when travelling by air. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 sets out two essential goals: first, preventing unfair treatment, that is refusal of carriage on the basis of reduced mobility and, second, guaranteeing the provision, free of charge, of the assistance that passengers with reduced mobility need to have for air travel.
Q: What assistance am I entitled to when travelling by air?
The following services should be available at all European airports for persons with a sensory, physical or learning disability which affects mobility when using transport:
• Facilities to summon assistance at designated arrival points, such as at terminal entrances, at transport interchanges and in car parks
• Assistance to reach check-in
• Help with registration at check-in
• Assistance with moving through the airport, including to toilets if required
• Help with getting on and off the plane
