Friday, 12 July 2013

Travel Insurance is valid

I can't believe it.  I phoned my travel insurance to change my medical condition, and I have been told that my insurance is valid.  I booked my trip to Herm before my condition was diagnosed.  I can go to Herm.

I have lots of things to work out, but in principal I can go on a holiday to Herm.  It won't  be for 3 weeks, more likely 3 days, but I plan to be there for a break with Martha, Katy and Dave.  

Martha and Katy will then stay on Herm with Bev, and my mum for up to 3 weeks (their return is booked for 12 August - my birthday).  I will be at home starting radiotherapy.  We will talk on Skype or facetime.

I am sooooooo pleased with this....

It is now 14 July: 
My trip to Herm is not a definite.  I have talked about it with Dave and given him the choice about whether or not I do go to Herm.  If he says I can't go, I won't go.  I will be sad, but I will accept his decision.

The issues are:
  • Am I able to walk to the harbour and back?  If not, would the island help me with a lift?
  • If I become ill - which hospital provides help.  I have looked on line, and it appears that the Guernsey hospital does not have a neurology department and it would be a hospital in London.  If I become ill, I do not want to end up based in a London hospital.  I am going to ask my Guernsey friend Ali to look into this a little more.
  • Can Dave cope with looking after Martha, Katy, Grace (cousin) and me?
  • We would leave on 25th July.  I have ten more days to recover.  I am improving every day, so let's hope that I am up for it :)   ;) 
Info on princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey:   http://www.health.gov.gg/work-locations/the-princess-elizabeth-hospital?_ts=728677


Referral to Kings College Hospital, London.
Routine Referrals
For routine referrals:
Tel 020 3299 8342
Fax 020 3299 8358
Email kch-tr.neurologysecretaries@nhs.net
Or post referral to:
Neurology Service
9th Floor, Ruskin Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill SE5 9RS
Emergency Referrals
For emergency referrals, contact the on-call Neurology Registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000.
Following discussion, complete the referral form below and email it to the on-call Neurology Registrar using the email address given on the form.

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:


Referral Proforma for Emergency Neurology Inpatient Admission


 

To make a referral, please contact the On Call Neurology Registrar through King’s College Hospital Switchboard on 020 3299 9000, AND following discussion complete this form and email to the On Call Neurology Registrar: kch-tr.NeurologySpROnCall@nhs.net   

If any * starred items are not completed, the referral cannot be accepted.  

 

PATIENT PERSONAL AND GP DETAILS
*Date referral made
     *Local hospital record number
 
King’s College Hospital number (if known)
*Title
*Surname
*Forename(s)
*DOB
*Male    Female
*Patient’s Home Address and Telephone
 
* Where is the patient now?  State: Home or Name of Hospital/Ward, contact telephone, etc.
 
 
*GP Name, Practice Address and Telephone Number
 
* REFERRING CLINICIAN CONTACT DETAILS
Name of Referrer
Name of DGH Consultant (if different)
 
 
Job title
Email
Bleep
Telephone
Seen/reviewed by which Neurologist, and date of last assessment:
 
* REASON FOR REFERRAL
Brief reason(s) for referral, i.e. tests/opinions required:
 
 
 
 
Bed type required:    General Neurology            High Dependency Unit          Intensive Care Unit
* CURRENT NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEM
Please include history, examination and differential diagnosis, plus other medical history and relevant medications.  Continue on next sheet, or on a separate sheet if necessary.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* RELEVANT INVESTIGATIONS - RADIOLOGY
All Neuroimaging scans and reports should be sent in advance to King’s College Hospital, at time of referral.
Please confirm that you have either:
     Image linked scans to KCH    
     Sent a CD-ROM   (Please confirm name of addressee):
Types, dates and brief conclusions of imaging:
 
 
 
 
* RELEVANT INVESTIGATIONS – OTHER – BRIEF RESULTS AND DATES
Lumbar Puncture(s)  
 
 
EMG/Nerve Conduction Studies
 
 
Other Investigations (e.g. blood tests, microbiology)
 
 
 
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note that ALL patients must arrive with:
1)     A copy of the drug chart or list of current medications and doses
2)     A copy of the inpatient notes (if current inpatient) including initial Accident & Emergency clerking and any inpatient Neurology reviews
3)     Copies of relevant Neurology outpatient clinic letters from District General Hospitals
4)     A transfer letter including final results of investigations pending at time of referral

 

 

7 comments:

  1. That is brilliant news Sarah!so pleased for you,it will be great for you to have a change of scene xxx

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  2. Fantastic! Herm is so much part of all your lives. Just being there is so healing. Even if it can only be for a few days this time - you know it will be so good :):):):):)so lifting. Imagine you are on that ferry now! Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!! Xxx

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  3. Excellent! I hadn't even heard of Herm until you mentioned it on your blog - how ignorant am I?! It's looks so amazing. You will have such a fab time.
    Sorry didn't see you at school this week, was working on the days you were in. Hope to see you before schools out. Have given dates to Sarah McCall for days when I can have girls if you want. :)

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  4. I'm so pleased you can go to Herm again this year and be with the whole family in your traditional holiday location. I know you will create many lovely memories and stories to post on the blog.

    And that's the first positive story I've heard about Travel Insurance in relation to people who actually might need it!

    I have a big grin.

    Louise xx

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  5. Hi Sarah good news about being able to travel. I know you have always enjoyed your times at Herm as the girls have always talked about it and it sounds idylic. It was so lovely to see you today at school, I did try to talk to you in the staffroom but felt you might have been overwhelmed with it all so I gave up(not your fault.)Keep positive over your treatment, it is amazing what can be done these days. XX Julie Matthews.

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  6. Hey Sarah great news re holiday on Herm with the kids, Dave and your family! Enjoy!
    Love you
    Jackie xx

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  7. Fabulous!!! Just what the Doctor ordered!! xx

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