Zurich Children's Hospital, Switzerland > Wexham Park Hospital, Slough
565 miles
Sarah's family were visiting friends in Switzerland when Sarah fell seriously ill, contracting a viral infection that led to her admission to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Zurich Children's Hospital. Her condition worsened due to an underlying disorder, prolonging her stay far beyond what anyone had anticipated.
Desperate to bring Sarah back to the UK for care closer to home, the family reached out to their travel insurer. However, Sarah's diagnosis of Congenital Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain since birth) was classified as a pre-existing condition, and the insurer refused to cover her medical repatriation to the UK.
Stranded and overwhelmed, Sarah’s family faced the heartbreaking challenge of managing Sarah’s care in Switzerland while also looking after her younger sister, Lisa. Unsure of where to turn, they found hope in Lia’s Wings—the only organisation able to help.
Lia’s Wings stepped in to arrange Sarah’s air ambulance transfer from Zurich Children’s Hospital to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, handling every detail of the 565-mile journey. From coordinating with Sarah’s paediatric team in Switzerland and the UK to securing a PICU bed close to home, Lia’s Wings provided the lifeline the family so desperately needed.
Sarah’s father, Ricardo, shared their relief:
"Lia's Wings clarified all my doubts and were very proactive in ensuring the best outcome for Sarah. They managed all the coordination with Sarah’s doctor in the UK and secured a PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) bed near our home upon her arrival. Everything seemed too good to believe, but surprisingly it was all real."
Sarah made a swift recovery and was discharged just a week after her return to the UK. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our supporters, which made it possible to reunite Sarah with her family and give her the care she needed at home.
Ricardo, Sarah's dad, says:
"Words cannot express our gratitude to Lia's Wings for their incredible support in arranging an air ambulance to bring our daughter back from hospital in Zurich to a PICU near our home in the UK. Their funding and meticulous organisation made a world of difference in ensuring Sarah’s safe journey back home. We are immensely thankful for the entire team.
"In moments of crisis, we realise the immense value of people with good intentions who are there for others in moments of extreme need. This was a life-changing experience, and we will be forever grateful."