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Original poster

DH in hospital on other side of world- freaking out

199 replies

Moonsick · 01/03/2020 07:03

DH texted me two hours ago to tell me he has been taken to intensive care, he needed travel insurance details. He is in Jakarta.

He has been progressively worse all week, in pain and then blood in his urine.

I have been up for days with two sick kids and my brain isn't working properly, it's just spinning in panicky circles.

Don't really know what to do, just crying to my mum atm like the adult I am. Kids will be up in an hour or so, so need to calm down so I don't freak them out.

OP posts:
kshaw · 01/03/2020 10:26

The university I work for literally has a team of people to deal with insurance. Don't take that they won't cover this. He is there working so they must cover it surely?

GCAcademic · 01/03/2020 10:29

I work in a university. For what it’s worth our travel insurance covers the length of a trip even if we are not working every day, most people do a bit of sight seeing on a trip. We do have to apply for it every time though, it isn’t like annual travel insurance where you are automatically covered. There is a long and tedious risk assessment form to complete for every trip. I think a lot of people forget to apply for it, to be honest.

We only have to do the risk assessment for certain countries. I hadn't even realised this until I looked into it in detail with the current coronavirus outbreak. I found out that I'd done two trips in the last year to countries that I should have done a risk assessment for, and was therefore probably not covered. Indonesia is on that list.

JinglingHellsBells · 01/03/2020 10:31

@Moonsick It may be nothing really as serious as you think. I'm not medical, but there can be traces of blood from the kidneys in urine for example in otherwise healthy people.
Does he have a history of gastro problems or has this developed since he travelled?

I think you ought to talk to the drs looking after him and find out exactly what is wrong and how they feel about his condition and whether you need to be there.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
notimagain · 01/03/2020 10:33

Ask a friend (may be someone from his university) to collect the car from Heathrow, if that will help to stop him fretting. Hopefully you have a spare key

Retrieving the car quite understandably may or may not be high on the list of the OPs priorities ATM but before anybody sets sail to Heathrow it might be best to check how easy it will be for a "proxy" or even the OP to extract the car from the car park in the absence of (perhaps) the ticket or original booking documents - those may well be in Jakarta.

Some extra documentation may be required.

Haggisfish · 01/03/2020 10:33

Crikey. I’ve learned a lot from this thread. Op I hope he starts to feel better soon.

GCAcademic · 01/03/2020 10:35

Just checked our work policy, and it does allow for one day of personal travel per seven days of business travel. So he may well be covered.

GodwinsRulebook · 01/03/2020 10:39

He extended his trip by one day to sight see, that's why he isn't covered by the university. He has spent the last week in meetings and just wanted a day to see some of Jakarta

@Moonsick I'd thump the table a bit with his university. When I travel on university business, I fill out a university travel insurance document, and they ask if I'm adding on any personal visiting time. I assume I am covered for this - partly because I often travel and work way over normal business hours on these sorts of trips - travel on a Saturday etc etc.

If you have the energy, do thump the table a bit - his employers have a duty of care when he's travelling on their behalf.

SouthernComforts · 01/03/2020 10:40

Sorry your DP is ill. Dont worry about the car for now, later when you've dealt with the uni and insurance just contact them to say the car won't be picked up on the agreed date. They will have dealt with this a million times. My dad once broke down in an airport short stay car park that charged by the minute and he was there for hours. It all got sorted.

GrouchoMrx · 01/03/2020 10:43

The university has a duty of care to employees who go on business trips. If the university isn't trying to move heaven and earth to help him, it would be well worth while contacting the union if your DH is a member.

Skierrdery · 01/03/2020 10:46

That sounds scary! He's conscious I assume?

notimagain · 01/03/2020 10:49

Dont worry about the car for now,

Agreed (unless the OP really needs the car for mobility).

I doubt the car parking company ( and there are lots at Heathrow, both at the airport and off site) will be bothered by a 24-48 hour delay, but I'd contact whoever they are when able and let them know what is going on.

Whether they will charge for the overstay, who knows...but IMHO overstay charges dues to a medical problem should be covered by insurance.. but of course that takes us back to that question again.

TSSDNCOP · 01/03/2020 10:54

I disagree about the car. First, it’s a proactive thing the OP can do, which is always good when you feel a bit hopeless.

Two, Heathrow parking is a fucking nightmare on all counts. Get the car out and then no worries about any more payments there.

Who is this ridiculous poster saying that 500-600 quid for a flight isn’t expensive. You should be emabarrassed.

Grobagsforever · 01/03/2020 10:58

Having been in a very similar situation myself, I started a thread and had the bloody ENTIRETY of Mumsnet telling me what to do can I ask everyone to please stop advising the OP with their made up knowledge and guesses? Unless you are actual insurance expert please stop making things up.

OP wishing your DH all the best for a speedy recovery.

LINABE · 01/03/2020 11:01

ADRIANA P 500-600 pounds is a great deal of money to many thousands of people believe you me. An unhelpful, insensitive post.

notimagain · 01/03/2020 11:02

I disagree about the car.

Fair enough...each to their own..

Wherever it sit's on the list of priorities there's still the very practical matter of documentation...

kateandme · 01/03/2020 11:02

hi op.im really sorry.i dont have anything to add really as you sound like your doing the right things.your being really smart and very brave and doing exactly the thing you need to.
is there anyway you could contact the ward/doc he is in.that way you can get the exact diognossis and plan.your husband allthough heaing what they are saying will be in panic mode too.so it might help you and him if yoi spoke to the proffessionals treating him.aswell as good to have his ward number.

GCAcademic · 01/03/2020 11:14

ADRIANA P 500-600 pounds is a great deal of money to many thousands of people believe you me. An unhelpful, insensitive post.

In my view, people who make that kind of comment know very well that £600 is a lot of money to many people. They just like to advertise to everyone that it isn't a lot of money for them.

Apolloanddaphne · 01/03/2020 11:19

I have no advice for you but I di hope you manage to get your DH home soon.

Schuyler · 01/03/2020 11:21

I think people are giving @Moonsick a hard time on what she’s prioritising. She’s scared and in unfamiliar territory and a few people are giving duff advice.
Take care Flowers and try not to panic- easier said than done, I know! Is DH able to let you know insurance details and you can make a few calls?

Original poster
Moonsick · 01/03/2020 11:25

Just had a struggle getting the insurance documents scanned and signed, he has a friend there now who is helping him find an English speaking doctor.

I have contacted his university travel insurance and they have opened a case and are on standby. I don’t know if he filled in all the right forms before he left.

Heathrow is a good two hours drive for us, but the only time I can get a lift there is today and then it’s done. Then I don’t have to worry about managing the kids at school, after school clubs etc. I was given the opportunity to go now so I’m going to take it. A friend is sitting with the kids. It’s also something I can do rather than sit here and fret, I have been on the phone constantly for 5 hours. I can get it out as it’s done by numberplate apparently but he only has a vague idea of where he left it. I’ve got the car park and bus stop letter only.

I called the hospital but the receptionist didn’t speak English and couldn’t find anyone who could.

OP posts:
macdhui · 01/03/2020 11:27

Two Fat Expats is a brilliantly supportive group on fb and they have quite a few members in Jakarta who you might find invaluable. Hope you get good news soon

TSSDNCOP · 01/03/2020 11:28

Good for you OP. All positive actions there. A break while you drive will clear your mind, and as you say solve a lot of logistics later in the week. Worst case, walk around with the key fob and the car will “beep” at you. Good luck!!!!

Apolloanddaphne · 01/03/2020 11:32

You will be fin with the car. I once had my purse stolen when I was away so had ni ticket for the car park. I just buzzed the buzzer by the exit and told them what happened and they let me through.

Feelingfestivenow · 01/03/2020 11:32

For what its worth OP, if the University will not cover, AXA who you have with Halifax were one of the insurance companies I dealt with, during the first hospitalisation of my DH as I posted earlier.

They were very good and communication was swift and handled well. But I hope they are aware of any ongoing problems.

But I do hope your DH employer will come through on this.

Not all insurance policies are the same.

CanIHaveATiaraPlease · 01/03/2020 11:37

Sounds positive moves op - Flowers

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