Travelling with Medicines or Medical Equipment?

If you're travelling with medicines, medical equipment, or a medical condition, below is a summary of the information you need to prepare to get through security.

• Bring a repeat prescription or a signed letter regarding your medical condition/medicines or medical equipment from your GP or medical practitioner. 
• Medicines over 100ml or 100g, supported by a doctor’s note or prescription, are allowed through security.
• Normal Liquid restrictions apply to liquid-based over-the-counter medications such as Calpol. Items of this nature can be purchased in Boots in our Departure Lounge.
• Passengers travelling with a sensitive medical device such as a Pacemaker should have a medical card.
• If you have any medical equipment that can not pass through the x-ray, please notify one of our security officers. Your bag will be subject to a hand search by a Security Officer.

Medical Devices

Airports aim to ensure all passengers have a positive experience throughout the airport and are treated with dignity and care at the security gateway. Passengers and their baggage will need to go through airport security before reaching the departure area. 

For this purpose, most UK airports are directed by the Department for Transport (DfT) to use security (body) scanners to screen departing passengers from the UK. 

Passengers who are fitted with external and internal medical devices*, and prosthetic devices** are encouraged to inform the Security Officer. If the Security Officer assesses that a passenger wearing or fitted with a medical device is not suitable for screening by the security scanner, then an alternative search process will be used to suit the circumstances the passenger has declared. The screener may ask to see the medical device to complete the screening process. For such passengers, an airport may, depending on its local policies, offer for, or require, this screening to be carried out in a private area (not on the lane), so that a sufficient search can be completed whilst protecting the dignity of the passenger.

Any passenger who elects to opt out of a security scanner search for non-medical reasons is required to have an ‘enhanced search in private’. It will likely add additional time to your journey and will involve a more in-depth hand search in a private search area. Further details can be found here.

If a passenger refuses to be screened in accordance with DfT requirements and the instructions of the Security Officer, they will not be permitted access to the restricted part of the airport beyond security and will not be able to board a flight.

*Included but not limited to: Medical devices worn on or in the body: Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGMs), insulin pumps, living with stoma bags, cochlear implants, feeding tubes, defibrillators, and artificial pacemakers. (This is not an exhaustive list).

**Included but not limited to: Prosthetic devices are replacement body parts widely used in modern medical treatment. They may be fitted internally or externally and include replacement lenses in the eye following cataract surgery, artificial heart valves, hip replacements and breast implants. External prostheses include those used in cosmetic surgery or following breast cancer treatment, and artificial limbs. (This is not an exhaustive list)

Medical equipment, joint replacement and prosthetic limbs 

All of the above are likely to activate our machines; therefore, please make one of our Security Officers aware that a private search may be necessary. If this happens, you may be subject to a full hand search by one of our Security Officers. Please advise our Security Officers in advance so that they can prepare you for Security screening. 

Passengers travelling with an allergy

We would also encourage passengers travelling with a severe allergy to carry their medication with them in case of emergency, and it is recommended that they notify staff throughout their journey of their allergy. Guidance on travelling with an allergy is available from organisations such as Anaphylaxis UK or from the NHS.

Passengers travelling with IBD or other non-physical disabilities

In the event that you activate the walk-through metal detector and require a physical search, or your hand baggage has been rejected for further inspection, you may request a private search if you have a valid reason. Reasons can include a condition that you may wish to be dealt with privately or if you’re carrying items that you do not wish to be searched in a public area. Ask a member of staff and we will arrange this for you. An additional Security Officer will witness any searches carried out in private and you are welcome to have a travel companion with you too.

Further Non-physical disabilities advice
More advice on travelling with IBD?

We are here to help

If you feel unsure or uncomfortable for any reason, please speak to one of our Security Officers who can better advise and prepare you for Security screening.