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Fitness to Fly
Important information for patients travelling by air with a medical condition.
We do not provide Fitness to Fly certificates
Bower Mount Medical Practice is unable to provide Fitness to Fly certificates or letters confirming that a patient is fit to fly.
Assessing whether a passenger is fit to fly is a matter for the airline and its medical clearance process.
Why can't the GP provide a Fitness to Fly certificate?
Airlines have their own policies and procedures for assessing whether passengers with medical conditions can travel safely. These requirements can vary between airlines and individual circumstances.
The airline is responsible for making the final decision about whether a passenger can travel and whether medical clearance is required.
Your GP practice is not able to make the airline's decision on your behalf.
What should I do if I am concerned about flying?
Contact your airline
Contact your airline before travelling and explain your medical circumstances.
Ask about medical clearance
Ask the airline whether you need medical clearance or a specific medical form.
Follow their process
Complete the airline's required process and provide any medical information requested.
What is a MEDIF form?
Some airlines use a MEDIF (Medical Information Form) to obtain relevant medical information about a passenger.
If your airline requires a MEDIF or another medical form, please obtain it directly from the airline or your travel provider and follow the airline's instructions.
The airline may have its own medical team or medical advisers who assess the information and decide whether medical clearance is required.
Can my GP provide my medical information?
Your GP practice may be able to provide a medical summary for you to share with the airline, where appropriate.
A medical summary is different from a Fitness to Fly certificate. It provides relevant information from your medical record but does not confirm that you are fit to fly.
Please contact the practice for information about requesting a copy of your medical summary.
⚠ Important
Please contact your airline well before your planned journey.
Do not assume that a letter from your GP will be accepted by the airline. Airlines may have their own medical forms, deadlines and clearance procedures.
The final decision about whether you can travel rests with the airline.
Airline
Contact your airline directly about its medical clearance requirements.
Medical forms
If required, obtain the airline's own medical form or MEDIF and follow its instructions.
Medical advice
If you need advice about whether flying is medically appropriate for you, discuss this with your clinician or an appropriate travel medicine service.
Frequently asked questions
Can my GP write a letter saying I am fit to fly?No. Bower Mount Medical Practice does not provide Fitness to Fly certificates or letters confirming that a patient is fit to fly.
What if my airline asks for a GP letter?Please check with the airline exactly what information they require. The airline may have its own medical form or medical clearance procedure.
What if my airline gives me a MEDIF form?Please follow the airline's instructions. MEDIF forms are part of the airline's medical clearance process. The airline will advise you how the form should be completed and returned.
Can I request a copy of my medical summary?A medical summary may be available on request. Please contact the practice for information about how to request one.
Who decides whether I am allowed to fly?The airline makes the final decision regarding its medical clearance requirements and whether a passenger can travel.
Can the GP tell me whether I should fly?If you have concerns about travelling because of a medical condition, you should discuss your individual health circumstances with an appropriate healthcare professional. The airline should be contacted regarding its own requirements for air travel.
Planning to travel?
Contact your airline as early as possible to find out whether you require medical clearance. The airline will explain its requirements and tell you what documentation, if any, you need to provide.
we are due to review this in 3 years
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GP practice
Safe Surgeries
Providing NHS Services
Contact
Bower Mount Medical Practice
1 Bower Mount Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 8AX
Telephone: 01622 756 721