What Your Hospital Medical Report Means for Getting Home Safely

How a hospital discharge summary affects your medical repatriation options and fit-to-fly assessment

Every year, thousands of UK citizens fall ill or suffer injuries abroad—whether on family holidays, business trips, or extended stays in foreign countries. In these stressful situations, the sudden need for medical transport back to the UK becomes a priority. But before any repatriation can happen, there’s one crucial piece of the puzzle that can either smooth the way—or cause major delays: the hospital medical report, also known as a discharge summary.

In this article, we’ll take you through the essentials of this document, its importance in planning your journey home, and the transport options available depending on your condition. We’ll also explore what makes a patient fit to fly, how decisions are made based on the hospital’s report, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.

What is a Hospital Medical Report or Discharge Summary?

A hospital medical report is a formal document that outlines the details of a patient’s stay, treatment, and medical condition at the point of discharge. Often referred to as a discharge summary, this report is produced by the treating doctor and is a standard part of patient care in most hospitals worldwide.

The report typically includes:

• The patient’s identifying details
• Reason for admission
• Investigations and findings
• Diagnosis
• Treatments and medications given
• Complications (if any)
• Follow-up recommendations
• Fitness to fly (if known)

This document is not simply a formality; it plays a central role in coordinating aftercare, particularly when that care needs to continue in another country.

Why Is This Report So Important for Repatriation?

If you’ve just been told you’re being discharged from a hospital abroad and need to return to the UK, one of the first things any medical repatriation company will ask for is your hospital medical report. Why? Because it determines everything that follows.

At SkyCare Repatriation, we require a complete discharge summary to assess your condition, determine whether you’re fit to fly, and recommend the safest and most suitable method of transport. Without it, making those decisions is guesswork.

We explain more about this in our guide on understanding fit to fly in medical air travel. In many cases, the report acts as evidence that your condition is stable enough for air travel—or identifies risks that need managing during the journey.

For example:

• Does the patient need oxygen?
• Are there intravenous medications involved?
• Is the patient mobile or bed-bound?
• What’s the prognosis?

All of this must be known before booking an aircraft, medical escort, or specialist equipment.

Fit to Fly: What Doctors and Airlines Look For

The phrase “fit to fly” gets used a lot in the world of medical transport, but what does it really mean?

Being fit to fly means a qualified doctor has assessed your condition and found no medical reason why you shouldn’t travel by air. However, this isn’t just about whether you’re conscious and breathing. Airlines have strict criteria, and every airline’s medical department makes the final call—especially in cases requiring onboard care.

The medical report will help determine whether:

• You can fly on a standard commercial flight, possibly with assistance
• You require a medical escort (nurse or paramedic)
• You need a stretcher on a commercial aircraft
• You need a dedicated air ambulance

We break these down in more detail below.

Medical Transport Options: What Are Your Choices?

1. Commercial Flight with Medical Escort

If your condition is stable but you require monitoring, assistance with medication, or mobility support, a nurse or paramedic can accompany you on a commercial flight. This is known as an escorted medical repatriation.

It’s often the most cost-effective option, but it still requires sign-off from the airline’s medical department. The hospital report is vital here—it helps the flight doctor and airline determine if this option is viable.

2. Commercial Stretcher Flight

If you’re not well enough to sit upright for a flight, certain airlines offer stretcher services. These involve blocking off several rows of seats to accommodate a stretcher and medical equipment. Again, airline approval is required, and the hospital report forms the basis of that approval.

3. Air Ambulance

A fully equipped private aircraft staffed with medical personnel. This option is used when the patient is in critical condition or when commercial options aren’t safe or feasible. It offers intensive care in the air but comes at a higher cost. SkyCare’s air ambulances are used for patients needing urgent or complex care during transfer.

4. Road Ambulance (Within Europe)

For patients in nearby countries like France, Spain, or Germany, road repatriation is a safe and comfortable option. It’s especially useful for patients who cannot fly due to trauma, surgery, or certain medical conditions.

If you’re unsure about the best option, read our guide: Sick on holiday – what are the options for getting home?

What If the Report is Missing or Incomplete?

It’s not uncommon for patients—or their families—to be discharged without receiving a copy of the medical report. In some cases, there may be language barriers, delays in hospital administration, or simply a misunderstanding about what’s required.

If you’re stuck in this situation:

• Politely request a discharge summary from the treating doctor
• Ask if it includes diagnosis, treatment, medications, and current condition
• Make it clear the report is needed for air travel

If you still can’t obtain it, SkyCare can sometimes liaise with the hospital directly (with your permission) to request it on your behalf. However, this may add delays to your repatriation.

What Should Be in a Travel-Ready Medical Report?

To proceed with booking a medical flight or escort, the discharge summary should ideally include:

• Patient’s full name and date of birth
• Primary diagnosis and any secondary conditions
• Treatment given, including surgeries or major interventions
• Current condition and vital signs
• Medications (with dosages)
• Infection control details (e.g. MRSA status)
• Mobility level (walking, wheelchair, bed-bound)
• Oxygen needs or ventilator use
• Fit to fly status

This may seem like a lot, but it’s essential for planning safe medical transport.

Who Writes the Report and When Will You Get It?

The treating doctor usually writes the discharge summary on the day you leave the hospital. In some countries, especially in private hospitals, you may be given it quickly. In others, there may be delays.

If there’s a language barrier, ask for an English version or request a basic English summary. This can be enough for initial flight planning, with a more complete translation to follow.

Can a UK Doctor Approve the Flight Instead?

Yes, but only if they have access to the full medical report. UK-based flight doctors working with SkyCare can assess your fitness to fly using the discharge summary provided. They also liaise with the treating doctors abroad to verify information and make clinical decisions.

This is especially helpful when arranging a commercial flight with medical support, as the airline’s approval process relies on the documentation being complete and consistent.

Summary: What You Should Do Next

If you or someone you know is recovering abroad and needs to return home, here’s what you should do:

1. Ask the hospital for a hospital medical report or discharge summary
2. Make sure it includes diagnosis, treatment, medications, and current condition
3. Confirm whether the patient is considered fit to fly
4. Contact a medical repatriation company like SkyCare to assess the options

The hospital medical report is the foundation of safe and successful medical transport. Without it, flights can’t be approved, equipment can’t be prepared, and the patient may face unnecessary delays.

For more guidance on how we assess travel readiness, visit our guide to understanding fit to fly in medical air travel.

And if you’re still unsure about your transport options, our article Sick on holiday – what are the options for getting home? is a great place to start.

If you need personal advice or support with a case, the SkyCare team is available 24/7 to help you organise the right transport home—quickly, safely, and with full clinical oversight.