Advice, elderly parent ill overseas

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Bearing in mind we have members with wide life experiences.

I've had a call from my Mum's friend this afternoon, they are on holiday in Tenerife and Mum is in intensive care having blood transfusions.
She was breathless and they called a doctor who admitted her to hospital, her haemoglobin levels are very low.

I'm due a call back soon with an update.

I believe that she is insured through her bank account.

Any idea what I should be doing/checking/asking?
 
Sorry LB, no experience, but I wish all well.

I think I would be contacting her insurers if you know the details.
 
As above, I can't offer any advice, but I hope your mum returns safe and well.
 
There could be several causes- either in blood cell production or hidden loss of blood. Have to say neither are very good signs at her age but depends how long this has been going on. Once they get her transfused she will be a lot better and probably strong enough to return home and get long term treatment back in the UK if necessary. It must be very difficult being so far away so you have my sympathy. It might be a good idea to have someone fluent in Spanish around when you try to contact the medical authorities??
Hospitals in Tenerife and general healthcare in Tenerife information.
 
Ask if she has her European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card with her (what used to be known as the E111 I think) as any hospital bills will then be taken care of without her having to shell out up front. I have first-hand knowledge of having forgotten it. :(

And good luck Lew and to her.
 
Thanks fellas, so far my list includes:

Name of tour operator
Travel insurance details
NHS card
Her friend's mobile number needed
When can she travel?

Fortunately the lady that she's travelled with is very capable and I trust her judgement, there are flights available if I need to get over there.

It's painful waiting for an update which is due 'after 5pm'.
 
I wish your mother well.

DRUK offers very sound advice here.

It may also help to give the British Consulate a call as they can and do give "on the ground" assistance.
 
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As your Mum is in an ICU, the only recommendation I would make is to get on a plane and go to see her.

Sorry to sound dramatic and I sincerely hope she recovers quickly and fully, but you being unable to get to see her due to the travel time if things take a turn for the worse is a horrible place to be :(
 
brucemillar said:
I wish your mother well. DRUK offers very sound advice here. It may also help to give the British Consulate a call as they ycan and do give "on the ground" assistance.
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The consulate won't do anything unless it gets serious. I have worked abroad as a rep and the best advice is to keep calm. Your mother will be in very safe hands and this sort of thing happens all the time.
 
Sorry to hear this,always a worry when a elderly parent is ill abroad,your mother may well have insurance with her packaged account with a bank or a building society like Nationwide,so the medical expenses should be covered,wait for the phone call from her friend and if in any doubt get a plane out there quick.
 
Tenerife hospitals will treat all European patients , regardless of cause or length of stay, and I am sure if your mum does not have her card on her it will be sufficient to provide it at a later stage. Hope she is well enough to travel soon. It is worth contacting her tour operator, they may well organise a nurse/etc to accompany her to the U.K.
 
NOMONEYBUTAMERC said:
Tenerife hospitals will treat all European patients , regardless of cause or length of stay, and I am sure if your mum does not have her card on her it will be sufficient to provide it at a later stage. Hope she is well enough to travel soon. It is worth contacting her tour operator, they may well organise a nurse/etc to accompany her to the U.K.
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Once your mum is in hospital and the policy has opened it is out of the hands of the tour op. It's all down to the insurer. Of course, any rep worth his or her salt will be making regular visits to make sure 'their guest' is ok.
 
If she didn't take those things with her, I'd go to her house and grab them. Right after booking a flight to get out there.

Let the insurance deal with all the hard and unusual parts they do this all the time and will have specialists available.

Just get their paperwork, either from at home or her hotel room and make that call. But I'd be out there in a flash.
 
Thanks for all the advice.

It looks like she will be discharged tomorrow and be repatriated on Tuesday, fingers crossed.

The reason for the anemia is unknown, I have an idea that she's been keeping something for me so there will be some frank discussions on her return

Insurance is the usual ****ache but we are fortunate in that I can just settle the bills and sort it out later at our leisure.

What a palaver!
 
Sounds like Mum is on the up, always nice to hear.

Best Wishes to Mum and you for a successful outcome of whatever ails her.
 
Just to update and close the thread.

Thanks again for advice and kind words.

I got Mum repatriated on Tuesday night in the end, the insurance were a bit slow but came up trumps with a travel plan that took her hospital assessment into consideration, she enjoyed being picked up from the airport by a uniformed chauffeur in an S class.

She is weak but in good spirits, I reminded her that I'm meant to be the reckless one getting into bother overseas not her especially at her age!
 
E111 only valid I believe, if she was taken to their equivalent of an NHS hospital. If she's in a private one they wouldn't be long about in asking for her insurers details.

Only going by the TV programme that used to be on.

Sure she will be receiving very good care too.

All the best & wishing your mum a speedy recovery.
 
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