Crawley dialysis patient Roger Stamp has visited Portugal and Spain with help from the Diaverum Holiday Dialysis team. Here is his blog ……
Holiday dialysis in Portugal.
When I first started on dialysis a few years ago the thought of going on holiday seemed very daunting. I wasn’t sure it would be possible. I had many doubts, fears and questions. Would the clinic I would use while on holiday be safe? Would the nurses speak English? Would I have to pay for treatment? How would I arrange it all? But then I discovered that there are plenty of people and organisations willing to help me ensure a safe, enjoyable and affordable holiday for myself and my family. The Diaverum Holiday Dialysis Team and the Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator at my clinic will arrange my treatment at my holiday destination. I’ve also had expert help from the UK’s leading Dialysis Holiday Specialists at the Freedom travel company www.holidaydialysis.co.uk run by Christine and Laura Gledhill who understand the needs of dialysis patients; they’ve been a great encouragement to me and they’re always available on the phone to answer my questions. In the past few years I have been on holidays in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and various UK destinations including the Lake District where I dialyse at Lakeland Dialysis, a small and friendly clinic in Cockermouth, Cumbria run by Kevin and Louise Edgar www.lakelanddialysis.co.uk
On the beach at Cascias.
Going on holiday is always a revitalising experience. My wife and teenage daughter are pleased too; because it means they can also look forward to family holidays. If you are thinking of taking a holiday don’t let your illness hold you back. If you are unsure, try taking a short break first to build up your confidence.
Affordable?
If you travel to Europe your dialysis treatment will be paid for by the free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) scheme. This is a government scheme linked to the NHS; you can apply for an EHIC card from the NHS Business Services Authority by calling 0300 3301350. You don’t need a EHIC card if you want to travel within the UK. If you’re on a low income you can apply for a holiday grant from the BKPA (British Kidney Patient Association) by calling 01420 541424 or see their website. There’s also lots of information on the NKF website at www.kidney.org.uk/help/holidays .
Cascais, Portugal
Cascias, Portugal
As I write this blog I have just returned from a short break in sunny Portugal. I still have a little sand on my feet from the lovely beaches at the resort of Cascais, near Lisbon! I’d just been to the Diaverum Annual Holiday Dialysis meeting so I took a couple of extra days to explore the area and take a bus tour of Lisbon. Cascias is a peaceful place with lots of sea, sand, golfing and inexpensive restaurants and cafes. Lisbon is more relaxed than other capital cities and you can stroll around the streets without feeling too crowded. During my visit I dialysed at one of the clinics run by Diaverum in the area. There will soon be a new clinic opened by Diaverum in Estoril which is above the local football stadium so patients will be able to watch the local football matches through the clinic windows. My trip was all arranged by Ana Marques, the Diaverum Holiday Co-Ordinator for Portugal and because it is a Diaverum clinic I felt confident that I would receive the same high standard of care that I get from the nurses at my Diaverum clinic in Crawley. Some of the Portuguese nurses spoke English and they even made me a refreshing cup of English tea. They arranged a taxi to take me from the hotel to the clinic and back. No worries!
Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia. Barcelona
If you like art, culture, sport and shopping as well good Mediterranean beaches I can recommend the vibrant city of Barcelona. I took a holiday with my family there in April and Paulina Walkowiak of the Diaverum Holiday Dialysis Team in Spain took care of all the arrangements for my treatment. The Diaverum “Rotellar” clinic in Barcelona is excellent and they have free WiFi available so if you bring a laptop you can watch UK TV on the BBC iPlayer. The nurses took good care of me so my holiday was worry free.
Barcelona has many wonderful things to see and do. There’s the famous Sagrada Familia catholic cathedral designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí whose work is an inspiration in many parts this modern city. There’s plenty of shopping, the Olympic Park which hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and, of course, the football stadium which is home to FC Barcelona.
Holiday Dialysis; a revitalising experience.
Each time I come home from a holiday I feel better for the experience; I get a sense of achievement because I now know that is it possible for me to take a holiday even though I am on dialysis. I believe it has been good for my health too.
If you would like to take a holiday you can talk to the Holiday Dialysis co-ordinator in your clinic or contact the Diaverum Holiday Dialysis Team; their email is holiday@diaverum.com
If you would like to contact me I am on Twitter as @rovingrog
Kidney Dialysis Patient. 