View Full Version : HELICOPTERS AND DECOMPRESSION CHAMBERS
Bill Bird
03-09-2003, 09:59
Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
That leads me to ask two questions. Has anyone had this happen to them? And if this is correct I haven't noticed anything about this (that's probably my fault) and has there been any initiative to lobby anyone about this?
Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
That leads me to ask two questions. Has anyone had this happen to them? And if this is correct I haven't noticed anything about this (that's probably my fault) and has there been any initiative to lobby anyone about this?
Does not sound very likely to me but if you want the definitive answer the MCA information line is 0870 6006505
A while ago I had a long chat with a SAR co-ordinator and he said he did not think there would ever be a charge. If you charge people do not ring up unless they have to, then you end up with even more problems
Pete
:=Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
:=
:=That leads me to ask two questions. Has anyone had this happen to them? And if this is correct I haven't noticed anything about this (that's probably my fault) and has there been any initiative to lobby anyone about this?
Does not sound very likely to me but if you want the definitive answer the MCA information line is 0870 6006505
A while ago I had a long chat with a SAR co-ordinator and he said he did not think there would ever be a charge. If you charge people do not ring up unless they have to, then you end up with even more problems
Pete
I thought that the chopper ride was free and the chamber came under NHS, was this 'incident' in England, note not UK, or abroad including Eire as presumably NHS cover wouldnt apply.
Matt
I thought that the chopper ride was free and the chamber came under NHS, was this 'incident' in England, note not UK, or abroad including Eire as presumably NHS cover wouldnt apply.
I think you'll find your summary applies to the UK not just England, definitely does to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland not 100% sure about Isle of Mann and Channel Islands though
Pete
Bill Bird
03-09-2003, 16:52
:=:=Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
:=:=
:=:=That leads me to ask two questions. Has anyone had this happen to them? And if this is correct I haven't noticed anything about this (that's probably my fault) and has there been any initiative to lobby anyone about this?
:=
:=Does not sound very likely to me but if you want the definitive answer the MCA information line is 0870 6006505
:=
:=A while ago I had a long chat with a SAR co-ordinator and he said he did not think there would ever be a charge. If you charge people do not ring up unless they have to, then you end up with even more problems
:=
:=Pete
I thought that the chopper ride was free and the chamber came under NHS, was this 'incident' in England, note not UK, or abroad including Eire as presumably NHS cover wouldnt apply.
Matt
My understanding was that this was in the UK, and the figure mentioned was ?600 and ?700 respectively. As you'll appreciate if this is true it has quite serious reprecussions for divers. That's why I thought it a good idea to trawl via a forum for further information.
Mike Halligan
03-09-2003, 17:41
My understanding was that this was in the UK, and the figure mentioned was ?600 and ?700 respectively. As you'll appreciate if this is true it has quite serious reprecussions for divers. That's why I thought it a good idea to trawl via a forum for further information.
Bill,
Sounds to me like a try-on.
If we remember that military SAR is available for civil use only when operationally uncommitted and that MCA has limited funding from those who use the sea commercially, then some enterprising soul may well step in and attempt to charge on their behalf -whether or not MoD or MCA is aware of this activity. (This behaviour has its description within the Theft Act.)
Additionally, our NHS Trusts including Ambulance Trusts are severely overburdened and at the same time underfunded so are taking a fairly robust line over supply of services. If you are likely to be insured, an attempt to charge may well pay off.
I did hear that A&E staffing is strengthened on Saturday afternoons around this time of year, as it is about now that the sporting injuries begin to multipy. Is a broken tooth incurred whilst playing rugby an accidental injury, or a self-inflicted wound? I guess it depends on your viewpoint, and if I were the non rugby-fan dentist called in from my golfcourse, or scuba trip, I might be very inclined to charge.
Yes, serious repercussions indeed and don't imply that a ruling given today will apply next year.
Regards,
Mike
Andy Nye
04-09-2003, 01:07
Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
*******
A charge from a designated SAR chopper ( Search & Rescue ),wether RAF,RN AAC or Irish Air Guard OR the MCA chartered ones will not be made, as these can ONLY be used for civil flights if called out by the MCA ( Coastguard )....HOWEVER, helicopter tranfers can be charged for but never heard of are from the likes of BRISTOWS oil rig transport that have winching facilliites, air ambo's police choppers, Helis used by electric companies.
********
Private chambers ( Non Military ) can charge for service they provide if they wish, but this is not been heard of for diving incidents....
A mate of mine paid for six one hour sessions in a chamber for a VERY badly burnt arm,but he paid up front and got repaid by HSA ? 603 in all,,,, so for a 6 hour in pot treatment, i can't see being more than ? 603
And thats not a substantial amount if it keeps you out a wheel chair for the rest of your life.
Andy
dave covey
06-09-2003, 15:29
I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
Divers abroad can be billed for Evacuation,Hospitalisation & Hyperbaric TX seperatly, depending on the nature of their circumstances. This brings us back to the "insurance" debate covered elsewhere & I remain suprised at the high number reporting for treatment uninsured.
BTW-Our helicopter(s) are supplied by the Royal Thai Police/Airforce at no charge to the patient (last used a week ago).
Over the weekend I was told a horror story where a young lady had a suspected DCI. She was placed on oxygen and the helicopter called. She was rushed to a Decompression chamber and had treatment to rectify the situation. I'm not certain when this was. However, I was told that she was then presented with two bills - one for the helicopter and one for the decompression chamber. I gather that this was a substantial amount.
That leads me to ask two questions. Has anyone had this happen to them? And if this is correct I haven't noticed anything about this (that's probably my fault) and has there been any initiative to lobby anyone about this?
I was under ther understanding that Air ambulance and decompression aid was coverd under the NHS by the london decompression centre.
I was on holiday recently and on the trip was a lady who had worked for a local heath authority and she was telling us that one area health authority can charge a cost to another area health authority for services provided. If your friend has been presented with the bills tell her it might be worth passing them on to her own Area Health Authority.
vBulletin v3.5.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.