Before you start your trip

  • Before any travel, business or leisure, do not forget to talk to your doctor. This way both of you will be prepared in case of any complications. Your doctor will also be able to give you tips for better travel in each particular case.
  • Ask your doctor to call or e-mail the nearest haemophilia treatment centre to where you will be travelling to see if they have your specific treatment product in stock.
  • Use the Haemophilia Centre Locator website to always locate the nearest treatment centre to you.
  • Make sure that you or your doctor informs the treatment centre about your presence in the region/country.
IWG member Teresa Pereira advises: “This is especially important if you are travelling with children who have inhibitors, as some centres may not be prepared for paediatric care, and you as a parent should be informed and prepared to find alternatives.”

 

Carefully prepare everything that you need to take with you:

    • Your haemophilia card
    • Your blood group card
    • The results of your latest assessments
    • The coordinates of the nearest hospitals/ treatment centres
    • Contact details of your HTC
    • Your treatment in sufficient quantity + an additional treatment in case of problem
    • An insulated bag or a special case to keep your treatment
    • A prescription from your doctor (if you need to replenish your treatment stocks)
    • Your personal insurance
    • Your European Health Insurance Card
    • A certificate/letter from your doctor in English: this will help you transport your treatment product and other medicines you may need.
IWG member Miguel Crato advises: “We got a special purse/pack out of cork made for patients in our Society to put the bottles of factor, with some additional space for ice.“

 

Flying and Airports

  • When booking your flight tickets, always consider purchasing travel/cancellation insurance in case you will not be able to take the flight.
  • The week before travelling, double check the airport assistance, if you have booked it and need it.
  • If you are traveling to a country that is particularly demanding in terms of formalities, check with the airline in advance of your travel and provide all the necessary information at the check-in.
  • Always carry your medicine in your hand luggage!
  • Ensure you have with you a letter from your doctor explaining the medicines in your bag.
IWG member Jim O’Leary advises: “I unpack the product from the boxes and put each treatment with bottles, syringes etc. in a clear plastic carrier bag. This makes it easy to display at security in the airport. I also carry my authorisation letter from the treatment centre with my travel documents so I can easily show it at security.”

 

Hotels and Conferences

  • When booking a hotel ensure that it is disability friendly.
  • Keep in mind that you may be able to select either a walk-in shower or a bath.
  • If you have mobility constraints and are using a wheelchair, here you can check the necessary parameters for disability friendly hotels.
  • If you are attending an event or a conference, always inform the organisers about your condition and needs. Be specific!

 

Finding the nearest treatment centre abroad

If you are travelling in Europe you can locate the nearest haemophilia treatment centre here.

For the rest of the world, you can search the Global Treatment Centre Directory.