shipping company that they will accept the patient without an escort in view of his condition and the possibility that the patient may require attention during the journey.
5. If the hospital cannot arrange NHS transport to the port of embarkation, the travelling expenses of the patient (and escort) to the port should also be quoted.
6. A short note from the doctor in charge of the patient should be included, giving an outline of the illness and the prognosis. It should be confirmed that the patient is willing to be repatriated and that it is in his interest medically.
7.
The doctor's note should also state whether, in his opinion, hospital treatment should continue in
and, if so, it should be ascertained from
that such facilities are available.
8.
If hospitalization is not considered necessary, suitable home care should be available.
Finally, the following points should be borne in mind: -
a.
We are concerned only with the repatriation of hospital in-patients and payment of escorts' return fares (if an escort is considered medically necessary). We have no provision to pay the costs of transporting the patients' goods or luggage to their home country. I should, be grateful, therefore, if you would ascertain that funds for this purpose are available from another source, should the need arise.
b. This Department does not insure, nor should its agents the Regional Health Authorities, Area Health Authorities, and Boards of Governors. The Secretary of State, however, accepts liability for any claim arising out of an employee carrying out his official escort duties.
2
Yours sincerely
MRS K F SAVAGE
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