The appetite for medical tourism is growing in the UK, as the NHS continues to suffer from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and pre-existing backlogs. For many around the world, medical tourism is a way to circumvent the prohibitive costs of surgery in their home country – costs that have largely been avoided in the UK up to the present day. But with the NHS’ wait list for elective surgery breaching 6 million people in December of 2021, some are looking to private healthcare and medical tourism as a swifter alternative.
Medical tourism offers the benefits of inexpensive healthcare and recovery time, in comparison to private healthcare options in the UK and the US. However, decreased costs and a warm climate in which to recuperate can disguise some of the risks presented by surgery in another country. Before you make an executive decision on travelling abroad for a procedure, here are some of the things you should take the time to consider ahead of making the decision.
The Purpose of Your Visit
Firstly, what form of surgery are you looking to have? Aside from fringe cases involving advanced specialist surgeries, the vast majority of medical tourism from the UK is for elective procedures, which can range in their effects. For example, some offer serious improvements to quality-of-life in the form of joint replacements and kidney-stone removal, while others alter cosmetic appearance – either to personal taste, or to address dysphoria. Writing down your reasons for seeking care abroad, as opposed to seeking private care in the UK, can help you inform your decision.
Prospective Facilities
Your next consideration should be where you choose to undergo your procedure. Different facilities in different countries will have their own areas of specialism, and some may be higher regarded than others in terms of outcome. Here it is crucial that you research potential healthcare options carefully, in order to mitigate the risk of harm or negligent treatment. In the unfortunate event that you do suffer medical negligence in treatment, it is also important that you understand your options with regard to legal recourse and compensation.
Post-Surgery Accommodation
Surgery can be an intense and invasive medical intervention, and aftercare is key to a full recovery. As such, getting on a flight straight out of the operating theatre would not be recommended. Part of your medical tourism considerations should be devoted to finding a suitable form of accommodation where you can recover before your journey home – close to amenities and spacious enough to allow proper recuperation.
The Cost
Lastly, you will want to budget your trip carefully. Even with the reduced cost of elective procedures in other countries compared to private care in the UK, a surgery-oriented trip can become an expensive endeavour. The overall cost would include your post-surgery accommodation and the cost of flights – which can be more expensive owing to the duration of your stay.
