Taking child on holiday

Hi my name is mark and iam new to the pclub.I have a little girl who has pacemaker due to hearblock she is 1 and half we would like to take her on holiday abroad to menorca (spanish island) We are from the uk.We are a bit worried in case she had any problems
what would we do ?? are the hospitals able to help with pacemakers for child of 1 and half years.We would not take her if there was a problem as she is our pride and joy.The consultant said it wouldnt be a problem but we just feel a little uncomfortable with this.Any help would be much appreciated thanks

6 Comments

Get travel insurance

by Duke999 - 2014-01-24 04:01:19

Hi Mark,
Welcome to this club.
I'm not an insurance expert, but I do recommend you to look into travel insurance that include good medical coverage/expense. Travel insurance covers many things that may not be applicable to your baby girl, so I would concentrate on the medical coverage part. Now, I don't know anything about UK health insurance policy regarding coverage for out of country, but if it does provide COMPLETE coverage for your daughter, then you're in good shape. I would also look into medical care availability at where you're going (Menorca, Spanish island), just in case. I wish you well and I wish your daughter as most healthy as one can be.

Duke

travel

by Pacemum - 2014-01-24 07:01:10

I am from the UK too. We have been on holiday to mainland Spain and France. They will have good referral for children in most European countries. Also make sure you also take your EU medical card for your child.

I agree with Duke in make sure you get good travel insurance. The premium charged should be reasonable and it pays to shop around. The following companies are good with children with heart conditions.

Able to travel
Insure and go
Tescos
Post office
All clear
Voyager travel insurance

Enjoy your family holiday.

Just go!

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-24 10:01:03

Does she regularly have problems at home? If not, then don't worry about it. Relax and enjoy your trip. Av block is a very simple problem that is fixed by the pm. Pm's don't fail, nothing about traveling is dangerous to it.

I totally understand your hesitation! I traveled abroad the first year I had my pm (same condition as your daughter, but mine was untreated until I was an adult), I was worried, learned to explain my condition in Spanish, did a bunch of research on hospitals where I was going. Nothing happened! I've been traveling regularly in the 20 years since then, nothing has ever happened either away or at home. These pm's are high tech and very dependable. Trust it and have a nice holiday.

Travel

by graham1 - 2014-01-25 08:01:41

Hi.
I make a habit of not going through the electronic barrier and find that officials everywhere are happy to agree.I assume your daughter has an international PM Card. Hospitals in Spain and elsewhere are usually very good.
Enjoy your hoilday.
Graham

Thanks for kind messages

by pearleamy - 2014-01-25 12:01:00

Thankyou for info very helpful.Pearle my daughter who has the heart block has had no problems since pacemaker was fitted over a year ago touch wood!.She was born just 29 weeks(10 weeks early)my wife had emergency section due to a reguler scan picking up her heart block.She had hydrops (fluid)caused by the slow heart rate (below 40) they gave us 20% chance of survival against all odds she survived.She was 2 pound once fluid was drained away and fitted with a externel pacemaker untill strong enougth to be fitted with permanent one.She was smallest baby to ever to be fitted with one in UK and has been in medical journal.We are very proud of her as are the doctors.You would not know she ever had these problems as she is so strong and bright I think as parents we struggle more with it

thanks for kind messages

by pearleamy - 2014-01-25 12:01:35

We worry about the future operation changing batterys and leads but im sure we will cope once we get used to it.Thanks again for your kind messages and info ;)

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