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Family's desperate appeal to bring hospitalised father home from Cambodia
David Hannant
Published: 11:46 AM May 15, 2022

Richard Kiddle, right, with grandchildren Freddie and Magnus and ex-wife Sue Sheens - Credit: Tracey Goodyer

The family of a Norfolk man who is in critical condition in a Cambodian hospital have launched a desperate appeal to bring him home.

Retired electrician Richard Kiddle is currently being treated in the Asian country after suffering from a brain haemorrhage and haemorrhagic stroke at the start of the month.

The 69-year-old has been in hospital for two weeks and after being told his insurance did not cover his treatment, his family in England pooled together to help him.

The family had planned to repatriate the man who was born and bred in Silfield, near Wymondham, so he could receive his treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

Having already paid around £16,000 in medical fees and the cost of bringing him home, the family was able to arrange Mr Kiddle's flights and secure him a place on the stroke ward at the NNUH.

But in the days leading up to his flight, Mr Kiddle's health deteriorated - catching pneumonia and going into septic shock - meaning he was no longer medically cleared to fly.

Now, the only way the family can bring him home is via air ambulance - a journey which will cost around £85,000.

Having already exhausted all the financial options available to them his three daughters, Tanya Korteling, Tracey Goodyer and Heidi Kiddle, have turned to crowdfunding in the hopes of raising the money to bring their father home.
https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/he ... an-8964056

Please explain and name why the insurance company wouldn't pay up. Did he have one of those insurance covers that cover you for everything except for what you make a claim for.

I doubt the reason why will never be revealed, but one of the most common reasons for insurance claims being turned down, is not declaring pre-existing medical conditions

As most people know, pre-existing medical conditions vastly increases the cost of insurance, which is why most people don't declare them

Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

jaynewcastle wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:30 am I doubt the reason why will never be revealed, but one of the most common reasons for insurance claims being turned down, is not declaring pre-existing medical conditions

For new comers most insurances have a moratorium (generally 2 years) for pre existing conditions.

Poor lad.

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:56 am Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

Good health insurance is no good if they decide not to pay out. Your actually worse off as the premiums you have paid could have been sitting in your bank account for a rainy day.

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:56 am Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

I think you're being unfair to the Cambodian medical profession. If it's not something unusual or requiring highly specialist therapy, the expat will usually get reasonable treatment here.
Many people, expats and locals, are successfully treated for strokes here.

atst wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 8:34 am

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:56 am Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

Good health insurance is no good if they decide not to pay out. Your actually worse off as the premiums you have paid could have been sitting in your bank account for a rainy day.

Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss. What does this mean to the insured persons and their families?
Firstly, I would think that it is a safeguard if anything untoward was to happen to the insured person, accident, theft, sickness. In such an event I would hope to have the security and protection, overall peace of mind for myself and family, being that I was paying for the service on an annual basis and agreement with the insurers.
I have always said to myself that insurance companies are the largest legalised criminal organisations.

armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 9:01 am

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:56 am Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

I think you're being unfair to the Cambodian medical profession. If it's not something unusual or requiring highly specialist therapy, the expat will usually get reasonable treatment here.
Many people, expats and locals, are successfully treated for strokes here.

Exactly right, I have posted numerous comments outlining the very good health care available here. It is important to target the best centres as there are some centres that are best avoided.

Kuroneko wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 9:21 am

armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 9:01 am

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Mon May 16, 2022 1:56 am Condolences. What a nightmare for the family.
Cambodia is no place to get sick for anyone, and, no reflection on this present case, but older expats need to have good health insurance which includes medi-vac, or else be prepared to end their days in Cambodia. Some people prefer this, especially if they have Cambodian family and little or no ties elsewhere.
All the best.

I think you're being unfair to the Cambodian medical profession. If it's not something unusual or requiring highly specialist therapy, the expat will usually get reasonable treatment here.
Many people, expats and locals, are successfully treated for strokes here.

Exactly right, I have posted numerous comments outlining the very good health care available here. It is important to target the best centres as there are some centres that are best avoided.

My point was that if you are an elderly expat who wants to go "home" in case of future health problems, then you need to plan for that. As I said, many older people prefer to remain in Cambodia where they have family and friends.
However, that is not the case here, because the family are apparently desperate to get the patient back to the UK for treatment.