GP Surgery don't do fit-to-fly certificates, any experience?

[pinkpeoniesplease]

Hi all,

I have a holiday booked which is a 4 hour flight away when I'm 32 weeks pregnant.

Just called my GP surgery to book an appointment to get a fit-to-fly certificate and was told by the receptionist the GP's at my Surgery have stopped doing them.

NHS website says to book through GP Surgery.

Receptionist said she'll leave a message for the Midwife who may also refuse!

Anyone experienced this? I am happy to pay privately but not sure if that is even a thing...

@pinkpeoniesplease If your consultant doesn’t discharge you back then ask them to do the fit to fly letter while you’re there.

Check with your airline as policies differ for exactly what they want. Many want a letter which, just as it sounds, confirms that in the HCP’s opinion it is safe for you to fly. Conversely most HCPs are advised to provide only a purely factual statement that your pregnancy has had no complications to date.

Definitely check with the airline and don't rely on short haul/long haul experiences from other people. I fly crazy amounts and got caught out flying a different airline (flybe) to my normal ones and they said I'm not allowed on board by 27 weeks. Luckily I was returning home 26+6. I never had any issues with Emirates, BA and Lufthansa. But again, you need to check. I hope it's not too long of a flight for you. Enjoy your holiday!

A lot of GPs won’t do a “fit to fly” letter but should be able to do a letter confirming how many weeks pregnant you are and that your pregnancy is straightforward with no complications. That should be sufficient for the airline. I didn’t have to show mine on the way out but they were really strict on the way back (Greece) and insisted on seeing it and making a copy. It’s worth checking with your specific airline what their requirement is as they can vary.

With insurance you don’t usually have to declare pregnancy as it’s not an illness and is generally covered automatically. The risk is more to do with cover for the baby if born prematurely abroad as your policy may only cover you and neonatal care plus medical transfer home if needed can run into tens or hundreds of thousands. I used Ravenhall when travelling at 30 weeks as they cover baby as well.

I'm 26-27 weeks, and both my midwife and doctor have said they cannot provide any forms for flying. The airline only want to know when I am due and how many babies i'm carrying.

British Airways seem to want this at any stage of pregnancy.

Not sure who else to turn to.