More patients are paying for treatment abroad rather than enduring long NHS waiting times, according to medical tourism leaders.
Overseas clinics are reporting a rise in the number of Brits traveling for “more affordable” private treatments, including hip and knee replacements, varicose vein removal and dental procedures.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows that the number of self-funded hip replacements has increased by almost 200 percent since 2019.
At the opening of the London Health Tourism Expo at the weekend, hospital bosses from Turkey’s leading private healthcare providers were confident of attracting more patients willing to travel for reduced-price care.
Dr Aydin Arslan, an orthopedic surgeon working in two hospitals in Turkey, said he had seen an increase in the number of British patients flying in to undergo surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Clinics abroad are reporting a rise in Britons travelling for “more affordable” private treatments, including hip and knee replacements.
Dr Arslan said: “The NHS system is very slow and patients suffer pain and discomfort. They want knee and hip replacements, but we also have many patients looking for other non-surgical options, such as stem cell treatments for osteoarthritis.” .
Patients typically undergo an online consultation before agreeing a treatment plan with operators, which often includes flights, transfers and hotel stays.
These can last up to a month for more complicated orthopedic treatments.
Treatment prices vary: it costs an average of £11,000 for a hip replacement or less than £14,000 for both knees, the equivalent of a privately performed operation in the UK.
Zoe Chivers, director of services and influence at Versus Arthritis, said it was “completely unacceptable” that patients had to choose between long waits or paying for surgery.
She said: “Every day we hear from people telling us that paying for hip and knee replacement surgery is their only hope.”
But Naveen Cavale, an NHS plastic surgeon and founder of Real Plastic Surgery, has warned people against going for what appears to be the cheapest option.
He said: ‘I’ve definitely seen patients who have travelled abroad for surgery because of NHS waiting lists.
‘Medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular, but unfortunately the NHS often has to rectify poor work and substandard care provided abroad. This puts undue pressure on our health system.
‘While there are trained surgeons in Turkey, there are also many who do not meet the high standards we maintain in the UK.’
He added: “Patients may be tempted by lower costs, but they should be aware of the risks: quality and safety should never be compromised, and it is crucial to thoroughly research and verify the credentials of any overseas clinic or surgeon.” .
Harley Street hair restoration surgeon Dr Bessam Farjo said he spent a quarter of his time dealing with problems arising from botched hair transplants in Turkey and elsewhere.
He said: ‘The low initial cost can lead to higher long-term expenses and complications when work needs to be redone.
“Patients come to me hoping to fix their previous surgeries, and are often faced with more complex procedures than if they had sought the right treatment initially.”
This comes days after the British Medical Association said more Britons were dying or requiring emergency care in the UK after travelling abroad for cheap obesity surgery.
Delegates attending a BMA meeting in Belfast backed a motion “expressing concern” about the “rise” in surgical tourism.
‘Agonizing’ death after gastric band surgery
Shannon Bowe suffered an “agonising and horrific death” after botched gastric band surgery in Turkey, MPs were told earlier this year.
The 28-year-old Falkirk woman was left “convulsing” for nine hours before dying after the operation went wrong, her MP John McNally said.
Ms Bowe had traveled to Türkiye in March 2023 to undergo the procedure. She passed away on April 1.
Shannon Bowe suffered an “agonizing and horrible death” following botched gastric band surgery in Türkiye. In the photo she appears with Ross Stirling
In an emotional tribute, her partner Ross Stirling said: “Sleep well my angel, I love you forever and ever.”
A source close to Bowe said at the time that he did not have insurance. They added: ‘It’s very sad. These operations are obviously risky, but it is very rare to hear of this happening. Everyone finds it really hard to believe that she is no longer with us.
“She had no travel insurance and her family will now have to pay thousands of pounds to bring her home.”
The surgery involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach to slow down food intake.
The NHS website outlines a list of possible side effects, including blood clots and gallstones. It says one in 100 patients suffers problems after gastric band surgery, while deaths occur in about one in 1,000 procedures.