The ultimate decision as to whether a patient can fly is that of the airlines. However, the Medical Aviation Team may request a medical certificate or medical information form (MEDIF) to provide background and there is no doubt that patients themselves will seek information from their GP. The British Medical Association (BMA) recommends careful wording when declaring a person fit to fly, 'indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness' (BMA, 2004). This ensures that the doctor is not in any way guaranteeing that a patient can travel without a problem; instead it is being stated that they are at no greater risk than any other member of the public. The BMA also provides guidance on what to charge patients in these circumstances. Fitness-to-fly letters are considered outside the usual NHS contract, and as such are private work.
展开▼
