Here are a few of my favourite helpful online resources and links for travel with an ostomy!
Source local ostomy association contacts at your destination in case you need to obtain urgent supplies during your travels.
- http://ostomyinternational.org/
- http://australianstoma.com.au/
- http://www.ostomyeurope.org/
- http://www.ostomyamericas.org/
World Assist Alliance
Fittleworth is the exclusive UK member of the World Assist Alliance; a network dedicated to helping stoma and continence customers with emergency goods when abroad on holiday or business.
More info: http://www.fittleworth.net/wpsystem/wp-content/uploads/World_Assist.pdf
Check out reciprocal healthcare agreements your home country may have with your destination country.
- For Australians: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements
- Within Europe (European Health Insurance Card EHIC) – covers medical emergencies and continued treatment for ongoing illness whilst abroad eg injections: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx
Travel insurance
- UK only: http://www.colostomyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Travel-insurance-May-2017-new-logo.pdf
Travel certificates
It’s a great idea to travel with a travel certificate that explains what an ostomy is and the need to carry supplies in multiple languages. You can often obtain these from a delivery company, ostomy association or your stoma nurse. Here are a few:
- http://www.respond.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Travel-Certificate.pdf
- http://uk2.dansacimage.com/default.asp?Action=Details&Item=189
- https://www.coloplast.co.uk/stoma/people-with-a-stoma/living-with-a-stoma/travelling-with-an-ostomy/get-your-free-travel-kit/
- www.ostomy.org/uploaded/files/travel_card/Travel_Communication_Card.pdf
- Stomawise has a travel certificate app you can download on your phone: http://www.stomawise.co.uk/lifestyle/ostomy-travel-certificate-app
I hope these come in handy!
These are mostly UK and Australia based sites, so if anyone has any websites or handy tips for other countries, please do add them in the comments.
Happy travels,
Laura 🙂
stomalicious 