Growing numbers of patients are paying for treatment abroad rather than enduring lengthy NHS waiting times, according to medical tourism leaders.
Overseas clinics are reporting increases in Britons travelling for ‘more affordable’ private treatments including hip and knee replacements, varicose vein removal and dental procedures.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows the number of self-funded hip replacements has increased by almost 200 per cent since 2019.
At the inaugural London Health Tourism Expo at the weekend, hospital bosses at Turkey’s leading private healthcare providers were confident of signing up more patients willing to travel for cut-price care.
Dr Aydin Arslan, an orthopaedic surgeon who works at two hospitals in Turkey, said he had seen an increase in the number of British patients flying over for surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Overseas clinics are reporting increases in Britons travelling for ‘more affordable’ private treatments including hip and knee replacements
Dr Arslan said: ‘The NHS system is very slow and they are in pain and discomfort. They are wanting knee and hip replacements but we also have a lot coming 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 be anywhere up to a month long for the more complicated orthopaedics.
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 one done privately in the UK.
Zoe Chivers, director of services and influencing at Versus Arthritis, said it was ‘completely unacceptable’ that patients were having to choose between long waits or paying for surgery.
She said: ‘We hear from people every day who tell 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, warned people against going for what appears the cheaper option.
He said: ‘I’ve definitely seen patients who travelled abroad for surgery due to NHS waiting lists.
‘Medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular, but unfortunately, the NHS is often left to rectify poor work and substandard care provided abroad. This puts undue pressure on our healthcare system.
‘While there are skilled surgeons in Turkey, there are also many who do not meet the high standards we uphold in the UK.’
He added: ‘Patients may be tempted by the lower costs, but they need to be aware of the risks – quality and safety should never be compromised, and it’s crucial to thoroughly research and verify the credentials of any overseas clinic or surgeon.’
Dr Bessam Farjo, a Harley Street hair restoration surgeon, said he spent a quarter of his time addressing issues arising from poorly executed hair transplants in Turkey and elsewhere.
He said: ‘The initial low cost can lead to higher long-term expenses and complications when the work needs to be redone.
‘Patients come to me with hopes of fixing their previous surgeries, often facing more complex procedures than if they had sought proper treatment initially.’
It comes days after the British Medical Association said more Britons were dying or requiring emergency care in the UK after jetting abroad for cut-price obesity surgery.
Delegates at a BMA meeting in Belfast backed a motion ‘expressing concern’ about the ‘boom’ in surgical tourism.
‘Agonising’ death after gastric band op
Shannon Bowe suffered an ‘agonising, horrific death’ after botched gastric band surgery in Turkey, MPs were told earlier this year.
The 28-year-old from Falkirk was left ‘convulsing’ for nine hours before she died after the operation went wrong, her MP John McNally said.
Ms Bowe had travelled to Turkey in March 2023 to have the procedure. She died on April 1.
Shannon Bowe suffered an ‘agonising, horrific death’ after botched gastric band surgery in Turkey. Pictured with Ross Stirling
In an emotional tribute, her partner Ross Stirling said: ‘Sleep tight, my angel, love you for ever and always.’
A source close to Ms Bowe said at the time that she had no insurance. They added: ‘It is so sad. These operations obviously are risky, but it is so rare you hear of this happening. Everyone is finding it really hard to believe she is no longer with us.
‘She did not have any travel insurance and her family are now going to have to pay thousands of pounds to bring her back home.’
The surgery involves placing a band around the upper portion of the stomach to curb food consumption.
The NHS website describes a list of potential side effects including blood clots and gall stones. It says one in 100 patients suffer problems after gastric band surgery, while deaths occur in roughly one in 1,000 procedures.
