IA has released the following statement in response to increasing concerns around the issues people living with a stoma are facing when travelling through U.K. airport security.

IA Statement: Airport Security

IA has become increasingly concerned by the lack of sensitivity and understanding being shown to people living with a stoma when travelling through UK airports, by security staff.

IA has contacted the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who advise ‘The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for setting the policy for aviation security and setting the mandatory regulatory requirements, with advice from the CAA. And that it is for the airports themselves to ensure they are implementing these regulatory measures. It is for the airport to determine how to design and deliver that training to their staff.’

CAA states that ‘In all cases we would expect security officers to engage and communicate with passengers in a sensitive and understanding manner and to ensure that questioning and searching a passenger wearing a medical device is undertaken in a way that respects their privacy.  This is reflected in the specific guidance that is provided to airports on the screening of passengers with medical devices.’

‘For passengers who have a stoma and are wearing a medical device, such as a stoma pouch, which is likely to activate the screening equipment, a security officer may offer an alternative screening process in accordance with certain minimum requirements when made aware of the medical device. This could be achieved, for example, through the presentation of a recognised Medical Device Awareness Card, which can be downloaded here –  caa_aoa_medicaldeviceawarenesscard.pdf, or a Doctor’s letter by a passenger when entering the security checkpoint.  The exact procedures may vary according to local operating protocols.’

IA is concerned that airports are not held to account in meeting their accessibility obligations through their Airports Accessibility Framework and that much more needs to be done to ensure that the rights of anyone wearing a medical device, such as a stoma bag, are respected.

While IA has been successful in feeding into practices at some regional UK airports, IA calls for the CAA to work with us more holistically to establish detailed, considered guidelines on the training provided to, and by, UK airports, so that ostomates can expect a standardised approach wherever in the UK they are travelling.

For those with a complaint about an airport, this should be taken up with the airport in the first instance, but further action is available is you are dissatisfied with the response. Visit: https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/resolving-travel-problems/how-the-caa-can-help/how-to-make-a-complaint/

IA provides travel certificates, available free of charge by contacting us, which explain the presence of a stoma (internal pouch versions also available) in multiple languages to airport (or other) staff, which can help to remove some of the concern felt when travelling. While these do not remove the need for security staff to conduct the necessary checks, they can remind them that they should be done with sensitivity.