What is medical repatriation?
Medical repatriation is the clinically supported transport of a patient from one location or country to another. It commonly involves returning someone home after an illness or injury abroad, transferring them to specialist treatment or moving them closer to family and continuing care.
When is an air ambulance required?
An air ambulance may be appropriate when a patient cannot safely travel on a normal passenger flight or needs continuous monitoring, specialist equipment or a higher level of clinical support. The decision is based on an individual medical assessment.
When can a patient use a medical escort?
A commercial-flight medical escort may be suitable when the patient is stable enough to travel on a scheduled airline but needs professional support with mobility, medication, monitoring or in-flight care. Airline medical clearance may also be required.
What information does ESAT need?
Useful information includes the patient’s current location and destination, recent medical reports, diagnosis, current treatment, mobility, oxygen or equipment requirements and the details of the treating and receiving teams. Contact us even if some information is still being gathered.
Can ESAT arrange ground ambulances and hospital handovers?
Yes. ESAT can coordinate the wider bedside-to-bedside journey, including collection, ground ambulances, airport arrangements and handover at the receiving destination.
Does ESAT work with insurers and hospitals?
Yes. We work directly with families as well as insurers, assistance companies, hospitals and healthcare partners to coordinate international patient transport.
What affects the cost of medical repatriation?
Costs depend on the route, timing, transport method, medical team, equipment and ground ambulance arrangements. ESAT reviews the case before providing a tailored quotation. Contact our operations team to discuss the journey and confirm what the quotation includes.
Can ESAT arrange medical repatriation to the UK?
ESAT coordinates worldwide patient transfers, including medical repatriation to and from the United Kingdom. The plan depends on the patient’s clinical needs, departure location, receiving destination and available transport. Transfers can also connect countries without travelling through the UK.
Which countries does ESAT cover?
ESAT supports international medical repatriation worldwide. The available transport options and timings depend on the patient’s location, destination, clinical needs, permissions and travel availability.
