Travelling to Dublin from UK with cancer patient ...do we need special travel insuran

Jummy

Hi!
I am in the process of trying to book a week long break for my family and our 67 yr dad who has terminal lung cancer.
We will be going in september if my dad is well enough (he has finished his radiotherapy and will be having no other treatment apart from using inhaler,painkillers.He is doing ok and has recently put on 5lbs which is good).
I will be taking my parents over on the ferry and my partner will fly over with the kids as there isn't enough room in the car.
I am trying to find out if we need to get my dad any special travel insurance or will he be ok going to Ireland?
Also will my dad need a passport as at the moment he does not have one.
I have e-mailed a few ferry companies and they all say you do not need one but i want to double check.
Thanks!

ginger_nuts

could be wrong here but I think for visiting Ireland you just need to bring your medical card .No insurance required .

nearlyrich

You certainly don't need a passport for Ireland but the insurance thing I'm not sure about, we have annual travel insurance which covers us for all our breaks UK and foreign so we didn't make special arrangements for our Irish trips.

If the unthinkable happens whilst you are away it will be expensive to repatriate your dad so I would definately look at getting some cover. The problem is it will be expensive or impossible to get because of his medical condition.

I hope you manage to get it all sorted and that your dad is well enough to travel and that you all enjoy the trip, it's good to make memories for when he is gone for you and the children.

ginger_nuts

sorry I cant do links but I just googled "eu health insurance "
you need a EHIC (european health insurance card ) it offers free or reduced cost medical treatment .you can apply for the card online .

chatta

You need insurance, if your father was to fall ill when he reached Ireland, dont rely on the NHS to quickly get him back to a hospital in England. Airlines are not happy for a medically ill passenger to be on their flights they usually require a medical escort. Would you be able to manage an ill relative on a ferry home. It will cost you a fortune to get them home. Insurance takes care of all this.

hammy_the_hammer

but the insurance cost would be extremely loaded if any company would indeed offer it without exclusions