Overcoming the challenges of an emergency repatriation

Overcoming the challenges of an emergency repatriation

A British man on holiday with family and friends in Lanzarote had been admitted to a local hospital after suffering a stroke. His family asked Charles Taylor Assistance to bring him back to the UK and admit him to a hospital close to home for further treatment and recovery. 

Challenge:

The COVID-19 global pandemic had seen social and travel restrictions imposed all over the world, which would make it harder to transport medical escorts, cross borders, find specialist care for the patient in the UK - and more.

Solution:

Our in-house medical team lost no time liaising with doctors at the man’s treating hospital in Lanzarote, ensuring they were fully informed about his medical condition, that he was given the all-clear to fly and that his condition did not deteriorate. 

They also arranged admittance to the specialist stroke ward at the man’s closest local hospital in the UK and soon had the receiving medics briefed on his case. They even arranged a route to the ward that avoided A&E and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. 

Thanks to Charles Taylor’s global network of trusted transport and administrative partners, it wasn’t long before land and air ambulances were at the ready, with accompanying medical escorts and medical equipment. 
 
Meanwhile, our assistance specialists made sure the patient’s wife could travel from Lanzarote with her husband - and that she was collected right from the door of her accommodation. They also kept the man’s daughter up to date about every detail of the repatriation: from the timing of the air ambulance’s departure for Lanzarote, to the patient’s arrival at the UK hospital.

Outcome:

The patient was safely transferred from his hospital bed in Lanzarote to his hospital bed in the UK, with no disruption to his journey from COVID-19. His every need was met and his wife sat by his side throughout the journey.          
“I cannot thank you enough for all your help - you have been an incredible help for us in a very difficult and scary time,” said the man’s daughter. “The flight crew were really professional, the flight was very smooth and the ambulance guys that met them in the UK were absolutely amazing!”