Getting ready to fly
Travel delays, lost ostomy supplies, different and frequent changes due to hot or humid climates can play havoc with your usual stoma care routine so anticipate the number of pouches and other accessories that you would normally need for your travel period and then double it. That way you will be ready for anything!
Under Stoma Appliance Scheme rules, persons travelling internationally can apply to their Stoma Associations for up to 6 months supply in advance. Please make sure when planning international travel that you speak with your association will in advance so that the necessary arrangements can be made to provide you with adequate supplies for your travel.
Even with the greatest of preparation, the unexpected can happen. Before you leave home, make sure that you know where you can obtain additional products if needed in the countries you are visiting.
When travelling domestically, financial members of an Australian Stoma Association can obtain assistance or support from any other Australian association.
If travelling internationally, the Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with some countries which means that, as an Australian resident, you may be eligible to receive assistance with the cost of medically necessary treatment, including stoma appliances if necessary, while travelling in Finland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium and Slovenia. It is highly recommended that travellers to these countries check eligibility and entitlement for supply prior to leaving Australia. For more information about Australia’s Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, see here.
To access assistance through an RHCA travellers may need to provide local authorities with:
- an Australian passport or other passport which shows you are a permanent Australian resident and
- a valid Australian Medicare card.
When travelling to a destination that does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, stoma appliances may need to be purchased. Unfortunately Medicare reimbursement cannot be obtained for the cost of stoma appliances purchased overseas. The regional organizations listed below may be able to provide information about where to obtain products abroad, or at ports of call on a cruise:
A Medical Notification Certificate or Ostomy Travel Certificate is particularly handy when travelling internationally as it explains why you need pouches, skin barriers, and medications to customs and security personnel at checkpoints. Travel Certificates can be obtained in a range of different languages from:
Please note that your GP or Stomal Therapy Nurse will need to countersign your travel certificate so make sure that you arrange this in advance of your travel
It is very important when travelling internationally that you have arranged adequate travel insurance cover, particularly if travelling to a country that does not have a Reciprocal Health Agreement with the Australian Government.
As an ostomate, you will have a pre-existing condition that is likely to be excluded from travel insurance polices, unless you apply for specific cover and are expressly granted cover in writing. The best approach when shopping for cover then is to be honest and upfront about your pre-existing condition (ie: your stoma and the underlying health condition for which it was created) and ask that your pre-existing condition also be covered. Your GP may be able to assist you in advance by providing you with a letter explaining your pre-existing condition/s, on-going care and how successfully you self-manage without adverse medical outcomes, and by helping you to complete insurers‘ questionnaires.
At the airport
Every passenger is required to undergo aviation security screening before entering the secure area of an airport and boarding a flight.
Aviation security screening is governed by legislation, regulations and approved airport procedures. Security personnel are responsible for ensuring that all applicable screening requirements have been met before a passenger can proceed through the security checkpoint and enter the secure area of the airport.
By entering the screening area, you are consenting to undergo standard aviation security screening procedures. Refusing screening, or refusing a reasonable alternative screening method, may prevent you from entering the secure area or boarding your flight.
- Approach with an empty pouch if possible.
- Discreetly inform the screening officer that you are wearing an essential medical device that cannot be removed.
- If you have one, present your doctor’s letter, Ostomy Travel Certificate or Medical Notification Certificate to screening staff.
- Proceed through the screening checkpoint as directed by security personnel.
Body Scanning
Body scanning uses advanced imaging technology to detect concealed items on a person’s body. An ostomy appliance may be detected during the scan, and security personnel may ask you to confirm that you are wearing a medical device.
Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Screening
ETD screening uses a handheld wand or swab to detect trace amounts of explosive substances.
ETD screening may be conducted in one or more of the following ways:
- You may be asked to gently rub the area around your appliance externally, after which your hands will be tested using an ETD swab or wand.
- A screening officer may gently rub the area around your pouch or appliance externally and then test their gloves or hands using ETD equipment.
- An ETD wand or swab may be passed externally over the area of your appliance for testing.
Handheld Metal Detector Screening
A screening officer may use a handheld metal detector wand as part of the screening process.
Pat-Down Screening
A gentle external pat-down may be conducted around, but not directly over, your stoma site or ostomy appliance.
If you prefer, you may request that the pat-down be conducted in a private screening room.
Additional Screening
Occasionally, additional screening may be required if security officers are unable to complete the screening process through standard procedures, such as when an alarm is triggered or a positive ETD result is obtained.
This may involve a request by the screening officer to visually confirm the presence of your ostomy appliance and its contents via a Frisk Search.
If a Frisk Search is required:
- ✅ Your consent will be sought before the screening proceeds.
- ✅ You may request that the screening be conducted in a private room.
- ✅ The screening is likely to be conducted by one or more officers of the same gender.
Passengers with an ostomy have the right to be treated with dignity, respect and professionalism throughout the screening process.
If you have concerns about a screening procedure, remain calm and discuss them with the screening officer. You may also request to speak with a supervisor for further assistance or clarification.
While screening procedures cannot be waived, passengers may request reasonable accommodations relating to privacy, dignity and personal comfort. Security personnel will generally seek to accommodate such requests where operationally practicable and consistent with aviation security requirements.
If you believe you were treated unfairly or inappropriately during the screening process, you may lodge a complaint with the airport security screening provider, the airport operator, or the relevant aviation security authority after your journey.
Disclaimer: These guidelines are intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as legal or regulatory advice. Aviation security screening procedures are determined by the relevant security authorities and may vary depending on airport procedures, operational requirements and security directives. Queensland Stoma Association cannot guarantee that screening procedures will be identical at every airport or security checkpoint.