Considering travelling? Just try it!
The primary benefit of holiday dialysis is the renewed ability to travel and explore. As an avid train and sailboat enthusiast, I value the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity and experience new places. While ocean voyages are no longer feasible, holiday dialysis allows me to maintain a degree of travel freedom. Dialysis has become an integral part of my travel planning process, and I take an active role in planning my trip, meticulously arranging accommodation, transportation, and activities at my destination. Here are my tips to ensure a smooth travel experience:
Destination selection: prioritise locations with accessible dialysis facilities. You can easily search for holiday dialysis with Diaverum in 24 countries via the d.HOLIDAY website. Just enter the destination and dates you are thinking of, you get a list of local dialysis centres, with detailed information about their services.
Dialysis booking: secure dialysis appointments at your chosen destination well in advance. This will help you select the dialysis centre and time slots that are most convenient for you.
Accommodation: book accommodation close to the dialysis centre for convenient transportation. Upon receiving confirmation from the centre, I focus on finding accommodation with a maximum 45-minute commute.
Transportation: arrange for flights, train tickets, and car rentals as needed, in advance of your trip. Usually, I arrange my own transportation to the dialysis centre via rental car, public transport, or even walking. Navigating unfamiliar cities and coordinating transportation to dialysis centres can be stressful, so don’t hesitate to ask your visiting dialysis centre for assistance.
Local exploration: plan activities and excursions around your dialysis schedule. Ask the local d.HOLIDAY Coordinator for suggestions on CKD-friendly activities.
Documentation: make sure you pack any necessary identification documents, including health insurance cards.
Medication carry all prescribed medications with you, especially when flying, keeping them in your carry-on luggage for safety.
Travel Insurance: consider purchasing additional travel insurance to cover potential medical emergencies. If you’re on the kidney transplant list and travelling within Europe, you can make use of the d.HOLIDAY Fly Back Programme which facilitates and funds travel arrangements for holiday patients who receive their transplant call while away from home.
While the logistics around travelling might seem daunting at first, the rewards of exploring new places are immense. In addition, the more you travel, the more comfortable you become, and the less intimidating the whole process seems.
Start with shorter trips to gain confidence. And, when planning to travel, it’s important to remember that there are professionals who can help you. Speak to your home clinic team, a specialised travel agency, or your local patient association for assistance. By taking the first step and seeking appropriate support, you can embark on fulfilling travel experiences.
Jan Świątczak ,
Dialysis patient and traveller
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