Information for British Nationals hospitalised or in need of medical help in Egypt
Published 7 September 2021
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Introduction
This guide aims to provide some general information and advice to British Citizens who are hospitalised or need medical help in Egypt so that they may better understand the role and responsibilities of the consular team at the British Embassy, as well as to provide some useful contacts in the country. Please note that whilst we will make every attempt to keep the information up to date, the system or contacts may be subject to change at any time, and we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur as a result.
Who can help?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is represented overseas by its Embassies (High Commissions in Commonwealth countries). Both employ consular officer’s part of whose jobs is to provide help and advice to any Briton who gets into difficulty in a foreign country.
Contact information
Consular Section
British Embassy Cairo
7 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Cairo
Tel: (00 20) (2) 7916000
Fax: (00 20) (2) 7916133
Website: https://www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-cairo
Office hours: Sunday to Wednesday, local time: 8am to 3.30pm; Thursday local time: 9am to 2pm
Out-of-hours: if you are British and need the embassy’s assistance please dial +2 02 2791 6000 and select ‘Help for British nationals’. A team of consular officers is available on the telephone to help 24 hours, 7 days a week.
What will the Consulate do?
We can:
-
contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been hospitalised
-
if you are in hospital as a result of an assault or other crime, we will visit you as soon as possible.
- in all other cases, we will take account of factors such as your condition, your ability to speak on the phone, whether you have relatives or friends with you, whether you have a tour company representative and the standard of medical facilities, before deciding whether a visit is appropriate. If we believe that there is a need for us to visit and the consular team have staff in the same city as the hospital you are in, we will aim to visit you within 48 hours of being told that you have been admitted to hospital
- we can contact your family or friends if you’d like us to
We cannot:
- pay your medical bills
- translate medical reports or diagnoses
- evaluate any treatment you have been given
Contact your insurance company
-
we recommend that you get travel insurance before you travel abroad
- if you have travel insurance, you or your family should contact your insurance company immediately. You can also pass your insurance details to the hospital admin. For them to make direct contact with your insurance company
- please remember to keep all receipts and medical reports in case you need them to make a claim at a later stage
Who will know that I have been hospitalised?
If a British citizen is hospitalised in Egypt, hospitals sometimes notify the British Embassy in Cairo. Some hospitals only contact us if the British citizen are critical or they wish we be informed or if there are issues with the payment. Therefore, we are frequently not informed immediately, if at all.
What will my family be told?
We cannot tell anyone that you have been hospitalised or provide details about your condition without your permission.
However, if you wish us to inform your family or friends, we will contact them. We can also pass on messages between you and them.
If you are a dual national and you are hospitalised in the country of your other nationality, the British Consulate cannot assist you formally.
Healthcare in Egypt: conditions and services
General
Healthcare in Egypt is not free and you or your insurance company will have to pay for any medical treatment you receive.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not cover the costs of medical treatment in Egypt.
Healthcare in Egypt can be expensive, so we recommend you have travel insurance.
Standards of primary/emergency medical care are generally good; physicians are well trained but some hospital and nursing staff not all speak English.
You should not expect standards in hospitals to be the same as NHS standards in the UK.
Conditions in government hospitals vary and specialised equipment may not be available everywhere. Government and Private Hospitals are usually well-equipped.
Standards of hygiene are not always strictly enforced, and standards vary between government and private hospitals.
While you’re in hospital
As a patient, you will need to bring all your toiletries to the hospital with you.
Food and meals are provided. However, the choices of food you are offered may be limited.
The hospital will usually hold your passport whilst you’re staying with them.
Making a complaint
If you’re not happy with the care you’re receiving, you can make a complaint to the hospital’s manager.
A complaint can usually be filed in person, on the phone or in writing. Larger hospitals publish their complaints procedure on their websites.
We cannot raise complaints with the hospital on your behalf.
For more serious complaints, you will need to seek legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt.
Full medical report
If you want a full medical report, you’ll need to request this before leaving the hospital.
Fit-to-fly certificate
Your airline may require a fit-to-fly certificate. Make sure you request a fit-to-fly certificate before you leave the hospital.
Before you leave hospital
Ask for your medical records, fit to fly certificate, passport and any medical prescriptions.
Repatriation
If you have travel insurance and your claim has been accepted, your insurance company will organize your return to the UK.
However, if you don’t have insurance or a valid claim, and you’re not well enough to travel on a public flight, you’ll need to contact a private repatriation company. Be aware, they can be very expensive.
We cannot pay to repatriate you to the United Kingdom so we advise all travellers to ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance before travelling abroad.
What about money?
The British Embassy cannot provide financial assistance to British nationals who have been hospitalised in Egypt. The cost of treatment received abroad by UK citizens is normally the responsibility of the individual and the costs of medical treatment cannot be claimed from the British National Health Service. If you have been hospitalised, you may be asked to pay your medical bills. There are several ways to do this:
- a valid insurance policy: if you are hospitalised for a condition which does not pre-date the insurance policy, the insurance should cover the costs for treatment and possibly for medical repatriation. If you are treated for a pre-existing condition your insurance policy is likely to be void. Your insurance may also become void if you have acted in an irresponsible manner that has contributed to the injuries suffered, e.g. taking drugs or drinking excessively. Some insurance policies do not cover for sexually transmitted deceases including HIV and AIDS-related conditions
- own funds
- help from family, friends or employer
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
Egypt is not within the European Economic Area (EEA) and an EHIC does not entitle you to emergency medical treatment.
Medical facilities in Egypt
See list of English-speaking doctors and medical facilities in Egypt.
Travel assistance companies in the UK
Disclaimer: this list is provided by the FCDO for the convenience of enquirers, but neither His Majesty’s Government nor any official of the British Embassy Cairo can take responsibility for the competence and level of service of the companies listed or for the consequences or costs of any service provided.
| Company’s name | Address | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromedical Ltd. | P.O Box 106, Bridgewater, TA7 9JE | Tel: +44 (0)1278 723330, Fax: +44 (0)1278 723188, E-mail: airdoc@aeromedicalint.com; Website: https://www.aeromedicalint.com |
| AIG Assist | The AIG Building, 58 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4AB | Tel: +44 (0)20 8762 8326, Website: https://www.aigassist.co.uk |
| Air Medical Ltd | Oxford Airport, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1QX | Tel: +44 (0)1865 842 887, Fax: +44 (0)1865 370 642, Email: charters@airmed.co.uk, Website: https://www.airmed.co.uk |
| Airtime Charters | Tel: +44 (0)1202 579949, Fax: +44 (0)1202 572907, Email: ops@airtimecharters.com, Website: https://www.airtimecharters.com | |
| Alert Assistance Wings | Wings Medical Centre, 238 Broomhill Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5RG | Tel: +44 (0)117 9719333, Fax: +44 (0)117 3007000, E-mail: ops@wingsmedical.com, Website: https://www.wingsmedical.com |
| Assistance International | Fortis House, Tollgate. Eastleigh. Hampshire SO53 3YA | Tel: +44 (0)2380 644633; Fax: +44 (0)2380 644616, Email: assistance.internationaluk@fortis.com |
| AXA Assistance (UK) Ltd | The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Rd, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PX | Tel: +44 (0)870 6090023, Fax: +44 (0)870 6090024, Website: https://www.ip-assistance.co.uk |
| CEGA Group Services Limited | Funtington Park, Cheesmans Lane, Funtington, Chichester PO18 8UE | Tel: 44 (0)1243 621000, Fax: +44 (0)1243 621006, Website: https://www.cegagroup.com |
| CEGA Air Ambulance UK Limited | Hangar No.5, Aviation, Park East, Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6NE | Tel: +44 (0)1202 592592, Fax: +44 (0)1202 592593, Email: Aviation@cegagroup.com, Website: https://www.cega-air-ambulance.com |
| Club Direct | Club Direct Ltd, Southgate Place, 41-42 Southgate, Chichester, W Sussex , PO19 IET | Tel: +44 (0)1243 817700, Fax: +44 (0)1243 217716, E-mail: assistance@clubdirect.com, Website: https://www.clubdirect.com |
| Europ Assistance | Sussex House, Perrymount Rd, Haywards Heath, W. Sussex, RH16 1DN | Tel: +44 (0)870 7375900, Fax: +44 (0)1444 459292, Website: https://www.europ-assistance.co.uk |
| First Assist Group Ltd | 32 High Street, Purley, Surrey, CR8 2PP | Tel: +44 (0)20 8763 3333, Fax: +44 (0)20 8763 3035 |
| Global Response | 6 Regents Court, Nettleford Road, Ocean Way, Cardiff, CF24 5HF | Tel: +44 (0)870 6061581, Fax: +44(0)870 6061583 |
| Healix International Ltd (Specialise in people who do NOT have travel insurance) | 15 Castle Mews, High Street, Hampton, TW12 2NP | Tel: +44 (0)20 841 7777, Fax: +44 (0)20 841 7778; E-mail: operations@healix.com; Website: https://www.internationalmedicalrescue.com/how-healix-can-help/ |
| Inter Group Assistance Services | Lumbry Park, Selborne, Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HF | Tel: +44 (0)1420 566130, Fax: +44 (0)1420 566121, E-mail: igas@inter-group.co.uk |
| International Medical Rescue Ltd | Green View House, 5 Manor Rd, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0UX | Tel: +44 (0)20 8669 9292, Fax: +44 (0)20 8669 3442 |
| International SOS | 6th Floor, Landmark House, Hammersmith, Bridge Rd, London, W69DP | Tel: +44 (0)20 8762 8008, Fax: +44 (0)20 8748 7744, E-mail: 1lonops@internationalsos.com, Website: https://www.internationalsos.com |
| Kingfisher Assistance Ltd | Kingfisher House, Portland Place, Halifax, HX1 2QN | Tel: +44 (0)1422 355553, Fax: +44 (0)1422 357476, E-mail: assist@kingfisher-insurance.com, Website: https://www.kingfisherinsurance.com/KFAssFram.html |
| Lifeline PLC | 20 The Park, London, N11 7SU | Tel: +44 (0)870 2401800, Fax: +44 (0)870 2401600, E-mail: 100042.444@compuserve.com |
| Medex Assistance Corporation | Victoria House, 125 Queens Rd, Brighton, BN1 3WB | Tel: +44 (0)1273 223000, Fax: +44 (0)1273 327848, E-mail: brightonoffice@medexassist.com, Website: https://www.medexassist.com |
| Medi-Aviation | Popeshead Court Offices, Peter Lane, York, YO1 8SU | Tel: +44 (0) 845 094 8408 (Mon - Fri 09:00-17:30 GMT), +44 (0) 7932 358520 (out-of-office hours), Fax: +44 (0) 845 094 8409, E-mail: info@mediaviation.com, Website: <htps://www.mediaviation.com> |
| Medicar European | Hinxhill Estate, Hinxhill, Ashford TN25 5NR | Tel: +44 (0)1233 660999, Fax: +44 (0)1233 610721, Email: generalenquiries@medicareuropean.co.uk, Website: https://www.medicareuropean.co.uk |
| Mondial Assistance (UK) Ltd | Mondial House 102, George Street, Croydon, Surrey, CR91AJ | Tel: +44 (0)20 8686 1666, Fax: +44 (0)20 8603 0204, E-mail: International_Dept@mondial-assistance.co.uk, Website: https://www.mondial-assistance.co.uk |
| Primary Group Services | 80 Leadenhall St, London, EC3A 3HA | Tel: +44 (0)20 7743 0200, Fax: +44 (0)20 7743 0201, Website: https://www.primarygroup.co.uk |
| Travel Assistance Services | P.O.Box 1616, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0AS | Tel: +44 (0)1277 634699, Fax: +44 (0)1277 634545 |
| Voyagers | 34 The Mall, Bromley, Kent, BR11TS | Tel: +44 (0)20 8466 9191, Fax: +44 (0)20 8313 9062, E-mail: voyagers@vanameyde.co.uk, Website: https://www.vanameyde.co.uk |
List of Egyptian companies providing Local transport in Country
Helicopter Service (accompanied by doctor & nurse)
Egyptian Air force Tel: 24184531 / Fax: 4184537
General Mohktar Mohm. Mozart, Heliopolis 24 Mobile: 0124650487
List of Air-Ambulances in Egypt to the UK
- CEGA Air Ambulance and Escorted Repatriations
- Heathrow Air Ambulance
- IAS medical worldwide Air Ambulance services
- Medical air service worldwide
You can also search on the web for other companies.
NB: This list is provided by the Consular Section at the British Embassy in Cairo for the convenience of enquirers, but neither His Majesty’s Government nor any official of the Embassy can take responsibility for the competence and level of service of the companies listed or for the consequences or costs of any service provided.
Translation and interpretation services
Other information
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Disclaimer
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not accept any liability to any person or company for any financial loss or damage arising from the use of this information or from any failure to give information.
This booklet is compiled by the Consular Section, British Embassy, Cairo. If any of the information contained in this booklet is incorrect, please draw inaccuracies to our attention so that we can make amendments.