Repatriation/Articles

Returning patient from Spain after accident

Returning a patient from Spain after an accident requires a careful assessment of medical condition, distance, discharge from hospital, mode of transport, travel time and arrival care.

Bringing a patient back from Spain after an accident

Injury, surgery and limited mobility determine the safety of the return journey.

Local situation

Imaging, the surgical report, weight-bearing capacity and wound-care instructions are essential.

Transport decision

Stretcher techniques, immobilisation and pain medication are planned for every transfer.

Route and assistance

Rental cars, luggage and travel companions are arranged separately from the medical transfer.

Arrival and handover

Orthopaedics, surgery or rehabilitation in Belgium follows on from the Spanish plan.

Additional point of attention

If swelling or pain changes, a reassessment takes place before the next stage of the journey.

Information required

Identification, a medical summary, current medication and exact addresses remain with the care team. If anything changes, the route is reassessed.

Personal belongings after an accident

Passport, phone, glasses, hearing aid and necessary orthosis are collected before departure. A bicycle, rental car or sports equipment does not travel in the treatment area. The Spanish department marks which part of the body may bear weight and how transfers are to take place. On arrival, a wheelchair, walking frame or home bed is ready so that the patient does not have to be moved unsafely again.

Frequently asked questions

Often yes, but the form of transport depends on medical stability, distance, documents, route and available guidance. Sometimes a patient can travel with a medical escort on a scheduled flight, while in other cases stretcher transport, ambulance or an air ambulance is required.

Usually diagnosis, medical report, medication, mobility, oxygen requirements, infection status, pain level and destination are needed. Airline medical clearance and fit-to-fly information can also be important during a flight.

Sometimes yes. This depends on the chosen form of transport, medical occupancy, airline rules, available places and the condition of the patient. If family cannot travel, communication can be clearly coordinated along the way.

Air ambulance is mainly considered in case of instability, ventilation, intensive monitoring, high oxygen shortage or when a commercial flight is not medically justified. In stable patients, it is first examined whether a less intensive solution is safe.

This could be at home, but also a hospital, rehabilitation center, residential care institution or other care location. The destination is coordinated in advance so that the transfer takes place safely upon arrival.

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