GP letter/confirmation of inability to participate in activity holiday

dunroving

As above, I am scheduled to participate in a cycling holiday that involves 14 days of cycling 60-80 miles per day, including 4,000-5,000 feet of ascent (similar to going from sea level to the top of Ben Nevis, every day). Normally, this wouldn't be an issue - I have participated in similar activity holidays before and have no pre-existing conditions that would limit my participation.

18 days ago, I had a very nasty bout of food poisoning (full day of vomiting), following which I was treated at A&E, where I caught Covid (tested positive for 12 consecutive days). Now, I am completely wiped out and there's no way I would be capable of riding the distances and ascent in the planned holiday. I've tried cycling 20-30 minutes on an indoor trainer but it completely drains me - next day, I struggle to get out of bed. Same result if I do an hours of light gardening.

My travel policy covers cancellation, if (T&Cs quote): "You are confirmed unable to participate in a pre-planned and pre-paid activity by a medical practitioner, provided the activity is the main purpose of your trip."

I plan to see my GP this week, but have no experience of requesting such a letter. Does anybody have prior experience of similar situations, and any tips as to how to present this to the GP? My GP knows me pretty well and knows I've done similar events even after hernia surgery (3 weeks pre-trip) and fractured elbow (went on a 7-day trip two days later), so I'm not a malingerer. I'm hoping there won't be an issue, but am still awaiting the A&E report to confirm food poisoning, plus of course my positive Covid tests are all self-report. The holiday was pretty expensive and I really don't want to lose all that money. Any tips greatly appreciated.

Flugelhorn

Often the GP has to fill in a specific form sent by the insurance company which asks the questions they need answering.  Might be worth checking with the insurance company if it is a letter or a form and if it is a form can they send you one - then the best thing to do is to drop it into the surgery with and note and they will tell you how long it will take and what the cost will be. These things tend to be done in evenings and weekends and fitted in here and there - some practices want the fee upfront because sometimes people don't pay up. If you check on the website of you practice they may have a policy

Brie

GPs are well used to doing this and will be willing to charge anything from £20 to perhaps £50 or more.  As the other poster stated - check with the insurance co as to what they will accept so you only have to do this once.

Sorry you've been so poorly - sounds like it was going to be quite the adventure!!

dunroving

Thanks, both. I have obtained the medical form, though it's not straightforward. The claims portal is also difficult - for example, it allows only one condition to be entered, but I had two consecutive conditions that together have led to the claim. (Pretty sure the disruption to my gut biome due to vomiting probably weakened my normally very strong immune system, causing an exaggerated response to Covid).

Flugelhorn

If you look at the single reason why you can't go on the holiday - is it the D&V? or is the COVID?  - sounds more like the covid was what is stopping you from being able to cycle / be very energetic. 

dunroving

Flugelhorn said:

If you look at the single reason why you can't go on the holiday - is it the D&V? or is the COVID?  - sounds more like the covid was what is stopping you from being able to cycle / be very energetic. 

That's a good question, and I'd say it's neither, and it's both! That's where their form doesn't fit all situations. Essentially, 3 weeks not riding due to acute vomiting then acute Covid, leading to loss of fitness, and now continuing inability to ride (constant fatigue) mean that there's no way I could be fit enough to ride the distances and do the climbing, and won't be fit enough by the departure date - but I'm not unfit to "travel" (the wording on their form). 

It's not Covid preventing me from travelling (I'm currently negative), so it doesn't fit the section of the T&Cs that covers Covid (needs a +ve test within 14 days of travel, witness by an "independent authority" - departure date isn't for another 17 days.) Ironically, the best person to certify me as unfit to participate in the activity is me (I'm an exercise scientist), but the bottom line is that by the departure date I simply won't be capable of participating in that level of activity - and there's no option to participate in the holiday but not ride. Essentially that would mean sitting in the support vehicle every day, which the package firm wouldn't want, either.

I'll probably call the insurance company after I've seen the doctor and see what they suggest. 

Flugelhorn

I wouldn't make it too complicated for the insurance company, I have filled in loads of these things and the best thing is to make it simple with a clear time line - adding extra story makes them puzzled about what is going on- they just want a straightforward route to see that you had single  illness (a) which is recognised to have a natural history (b) over a recognised period of time (c) and likely to lead to longer term effects (d) which stop you doing activity (e).  
I would have thought the Covid met these criteria - then you need a evidence to the effect that you are still  unable to do the planned activity - am sure you know what will be needed for this  

dunroving

Brief follow-up:

Meeting with the GP went well and she was perfectly happy to provide supporting materials (in this case, she printed out her notes from the consult, signed it and stamped it with the GP surgery stamp). She knows me pretty well and instantly recognised my predicament and that there's no way on earth that I'd cancel such a great trip - plus the chance to watch England play Japan in the RWC on our final ride day into Nice.

So, I submitted the notes/letter, called the insurance company because their Web portal is absolute pants ... and they said they need a medical form IN ADDITION to the note/letter. So now I have to waste more of my time and the doctor's time because the insurance company gave unclear instructions in the first place. Grrrr ....

Flugelhorn

Yes I am afraid from always want the form and not just a letter. I always declined to do a letter until people had got hold of the forms or at least clear instructions from the insurance company about what was needed.