Fitness to Fly in Pregnancy
Please see the following advice leaflet from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), concerning fitness to fly during pregnancy:
Air travel and pregnancy | RCOG
Further information is available on the NHS website:
There is no statutory requirement for GPs to complete the airline form for patients, although it is up to GPs to decide if they are willing to accept the clinical risk associated with this form. If GP’s do choose to complete the form they are entitled to charge a fee for this.
Whilst the attached guidance from the RCOG seems supportive of GPs signing the form, it would be important for the GP to have had sight of the patient’s antenatal care to date, and if this is not available, the midwife or O&G team would be better placed to complete the form.
The Medical Protection Society has published a helpful article with case studies: Fit to fly
It would be useful to refer to the guidance issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority: Pregnancy | UK Civil Aviation Authority, although each airline will have their own policy and process, for example British Airways: Medical conditions and pregnancy | Information | British Airways.