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13 June 2023

What is repatriation to the UK?

What is repatriation? UK citizens generally think in terms of someone returning to their country of origin. In fact, this is exactly what repatriation means – but it needn’t be after years of living abroad; for travellers, it can also mean medical repatriation.

UK citizens who travel abroad – either for business or pleasure – need to be sure they’re covered for illness and injury. But what if the condition is so severe they need to get back to Britain for treatment? Then, they or their insurance company can arrange repatriation to the UK through an air ambulance company like us at IAS Medical.

We are the leading air ambulance company in Europe, providing a fully approved, professional service to all UK citizens needing to be repatriated from abroad. We work closely with insurance companies and private individuals – including those with no travel insurance – to ensure the patient’s medical needs are covered every step of the way. We also offer our services to the NHS, private hospitals, the MOD, the British government and foreign embassies.

Travellers are reminded to check their travel insurance covers them for all emergencies, including medical repatriation. However in the event that you are not, you’ll be surprised to discover private air ambulances are more affordable than you think. Staffed by experienced, aero qualified doctors and nurses and equipped with a full range of cutting-edge medical equipment, they are the most appropriate solution for critically ill patients in need of urgent medical care.

However, for patients with less serious medical concerns we at IAS Medical do offer other alternatives, such as commercial airliner stretcher repatriation to UK airports. Patients get airport-to-hospital ambulance service at both airports, plus extras like ticketing; visa application and pre-flight medical clearance. Medical escorts can also accompany patients with very minor conditions on normal scheduled flights. This is the cheapest and most basic form of repatriation to the UK, but includes basic medical checks and that all-important element: patient support.

How is this calculated?

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Overview

If you need to arrange medical transport, the last thing you should be worrying about is money, so here at IAS Medical we offer all-inclusive prices to help you understand exactly what to expect. The cost of an air ambulance will depend on your individual circumstances, with prices depending on the following factors:

  • The patient’s location and the distance they need to travel
  • The type of aircraft needed
  • The number of medical staff required
  • The airport landing fees
  • The journey required by ground ambulance

The cost of medical crew

The overall cost of booking an air ambulance depends on various factors, including the number of medical staff required and the expertise needed to support the patient’s medical needs.

As an indication of how this affects the overall cost of an air ambulance, the cost of recruiting medical experts is as follows:

  • Flight Surgeons: £700 per day
  • Doctors: £700 per day
  • Nurses: £350 per day
  • Paramedics: £350 per day

The cost of our aircraft

Prices will depend on the type of aircraft you need to book, according to the clinical needs of the patient, the size of aircraft required and the equipment needed on board. Prices will also vary depending on how many people would like to accompany the patient on their journey, although this may not be possible depending on the patient’s medical condition.

For non-serious cases, there is often a choice of aircraft, in which case we will use the most cost-effective aircraft available.

The cost of airport landing fees

All airports charge landing and aircraft handling fees, which will impact on the overall cost of your medical transport. There may also be extension fees to keep the airport open, as well as aircraft de-icing fees.

We provide air ambulances from major airports right across the world, so we can get as close as possible to the patient’s hospital ward. We then use an RAF airport for flights into London, which helps to keep air ambulance costs as manageable as possible.

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