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Christine Hockings
Christine Hockings has been working at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for almost 18 months as a CF Homecare sister.
An Australian from Sydney, Christine has been in the United Kingdom for 3 years.
As increasing numbers of people with CF live to an older age, there will be a growing number of these young adults who wish to travel. Some only for short periods, holidays in Europe for example, and others for extended periods such as a 3-month Eurorail pass or a gap years with friends. It has been suggested that this should be encouraged where health permits.
However, there is much planning that is needed to make these holidays successful and with the added needs of a young person with CF good planning, up-to-date information about travel destinations and appropriate documentation from their current specialist centre are invaluable.
The aim of Christine's study is to produce information in concise leaflet form for people with CF travelling between Australia and the United Kingdom for an extended period, that will:
- Improve and promote continuity of care during extended holidays
- Allow patients easy access to health care facilities while abroad
- Provide up to date information that is relevant to the country that they are travelling in
- Save time for all involved with the planning of such holidays, including those travelling, their families and healthcare professionals by having all the necessary information in the one place
Added to this, patients and their families can be reassured that travellers will receive appropriate care while away.
"I am hoping to get up to date information on the large centres in the capital cities, customs regulations and documentation requirements, fitness to fly and oxygen, diabetic management on holidays and long haul flights,insurance, reciprocal health care agreements, getting a GP, medication and other general information related to travelling. It is hoped that each booklet can be individualised with details of the patients last clinic visit, treating consultant.
Several patients that have previously travelled are helping me with their experiences and guiding me on what would be useful. I am planning to meet up with various members of CF teams in Australia to get their input and to hopefully develop a booklet that is not only helpful but allows for continuity of care while people are travelling".
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