A recent report has revealed that British health tourists are spending close to £7Billion a year whether directly or through the NHS on so-called “medical tourism”.
In an attempt to escape long waiting times on the NHS, or to seek elective or cosmetic surgery abroad where standards can be comparable or even better than in Britain, at a far more affordable price tag. Medical tourists are travelling as far afield as Thailand and South Africa and then using the extra time abroad as an excuse to recuperate and take in a holiday at the same time.
But what kind of procedures are Brits so desperate for, that they’d rather cross a few time zones than wait for the NHS to have it done?
Photo Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich
Why the rush?
With waiting times becoming longer in the UK and the costs of private care spiralling, many Brits are opting to seek treatment abroad. Some data suggests as many as 68 000 British citizens left the UK in 2019 to go for a range of treatments. From cosmetic to reconstructive surgery to treatment for cancer, other terminal illnesses and fertilisation and dental care there is a seemingly unquenchable appetite for seeking “instant” gratification abroad.
Top destinations for medical tourism
For cosmetic or “plastic” surgery, Brits tend to favour Thailand for surgeries that can be done a lot cheaper than at home. With gender reassignment surgery featuring highly on the list. However, experts caution that potential patients should exercise extreme caution before opting for “cut-price” surgery in some facilities as standards don’t always match what they’d expect from British hospitals. South Africa features high on the list for cosmetic as well as essential surgery where private facilities are as good or better than facilities at home and where the strength of Sterling can go a long way. Indian hospitals are also in the mix for life-saving procedures and cancer treatment. However, facilities in Malaysia and on the continent are sought-after for some weight loss solutions. You can get a gastric band abroad for less than what it would cost in the UK and with waiting times that are far more favourable, or not in play at all.
Foreign and Commonwealth advice
The FCO advises that patients should conduct proper due diligence in determining which facilities are the best match for individual needs. While many facilities operate perfectly legitimate businesses, oftentimes Brits are motivated to accept less than desirable standards for the sake of saving money. This is especially true for cosmetic surgery but the advice stands, make sure that you’ve taken advice from your GP or specialist in the UK before seeking any treatment outside our countries borders as you won’t be protected by local regulatory bodies should procedures not go according to plan. You will also not always have recourse to correction or recompense, so “buyer, beware”.
However, many Brits are having routine medical treatment as part of their NHS coverage in an attempt by the NHS to reduce waiting times and pressure on certain local providers in the UK. If you’re amenable to this solution, discuss this with your specialist or GP at home and they can advise you on what options you have at your disposal.
With some smart research and planning, you can receive top-quality treatment overseas and take in a holiday to boot.
