You may be thinking about going abroad for medical treatment – including for dentistry, a cosmetic procedure, or surgery. If so, ensure you do thorough and comprehensive research so you have the full picture and make well informed choices. All medical treatments carry risks and when you go abroad you have additional potential complications such as differing clinical standards, the need to cover the cost associated with unanticipated complications or emergencies, and difficulties travelling home post-surgery during recovery. It is important to consider all the care you may need after any operation or procedure, which can sometimes last for years.
Travelling abroad for treatment can significantly increase the risk of something going wrong. There are numerous cases of people who have been abroad for treatment and ended up facing serious long-term issues and sadly even died due to poor practices.
Finding the lowest cost option may not be the best one – in fact, if something goes wrong it may end up costing you considerably more in the long term. Consider how to minimise the risk of anything going wrong before, during and after treatment as a priority.
Research the treatment carefully
All treatment carries risk which can become far greater if you go abroad without fully preparing for all aspects of the procedure, including knowing the facility or clinician who will carry out your treatment. We know there are some foreign clinicians who are not suitable to carry out certain treatments, and facilities that do not meet the standards we expect in the UK.
Discuss and agree your treatment with your UK GP, dentist or clinician before consulting with a foreign doctor. This will help ensure you require the surgery and if so, are opting for the right type of surgery. Your UK specialist will also be aware of any long-term conditions which may affect your treatment which foreign doctors may not.
- If you are on any medication, make sure you understand if and how they may affect the treatment you are planning.
- Take your time to choose the right facility and medical team. Treatment abroad may be provided differently to what you expect in the UK so in order to make your experience a positive one it’s important you plan all aspects of your treatment, both pre and post-surgery.
- Make your decision based on the quality of the medical treatment, not on the country’s quality as a holiday destination!
- Only after you have fully considered all aspects of the process, and explored all options for treatment in the UK, should you proceed with the booking and hand over any payment.
- Be aware of any potential language barriers. This could be a particular issue if there are any complications with your treatment and you need to communicate with the medical staff. Not being able to speak the language or communicate effectively could leave you in a vulnerable position.
- You should discuss with your UK doctor how you will receive any after care (e.g. dressing changes, tests) when you are back home. You may need to pay for this yourself depending on the treatment you receive as the NHS does not cover treatment for cosmetic procedures.
Check the qualifications and regulation
- Be aware that regulatory standards may be different in the country you travel to – don’t assume they are the same as the UK, and don’t assume that if you speak to a clinician in the UK, that they are UK-registered. They may appear to be official health practitioners, but this may not actually be the case.
- The clinician who provides your treatment when you go abroad may not have to adhere to the same principles, values and standards as those that UK doctors do.
- You should be able to locate the details of the healthcare practitioner you intend to use through the host government’s official sources.
- Ask for examples of the practitioners’ experience with the surgery you are intending to have. They should be open about their experience, skills, fees, and any conflict of interest.
- Check that the surgeon you consult with, will be the same person carrying out the procedure.
- Make sure the surgical team has received your full medical record and reviewed it
Question if it looks too good to be true
- Any treatment, whether at home or abroad, comes with risks. Any advert or information that guarantees complete success should raise concerns.
- TV personalities or influencers may show positive stories about surgery abroad and verify certain providers, but they may be getting paid to support these providers.
- Don’t be pressured into quick decisions either through forceful persuasion or cheap, time limited offers.
- Be wary of package deals which combine surgery with holidays – any decision to have surgery should be taken based on medical reasons only.
- Make sure that any adverts or advice you receive when making your decision gives you all the necessary information, including any potential complications and aftercare requirements.
Think about the aftercare
- Make sure you understand any potential complications and side effects that could arise from your surgery. You should have this information before you travel abroad and understand how complications will be handled while you are in country.
- It is likely that once you have completed your treatment, the main concern of the foreign clinician will be to discharge you as soon as possible, regardless of any complications or difficulties you may face. Their primary aim may be to minimise their costs, not worry about your safety.
- After your treatment, you should receive a full medical report in English to bring back to your UK doctor.
- If you receive general anaesthesia, you should plan to be in country for at least 10 days after surgery.
Don’t travel if you feel unwell
- You should be fit and well before undertaking any surgical treatment. If you are not well in any way you should postpone your treatment.
- If you travel for treatment when you are not well and not in a state for your treatment, you may face serious issues
- If you need general anaesthesia, you will need to be well enough for it and not be ill beforehand (or have eaten or drunk too recently).
- You should also be well enough to travel back to the UK after surgery and should spend the requisite amount of time in-country after your treatment. You should only board a flight home when you are fit to fly. Airlines need to make sure you are medically safe to fly, so you may need to inform them of your health condition/treatment.
Get specialist travel insurance
- You need to ensure you have adequate health insurance before you travel.
- Most travel insurance policies will be invalidated by planned treatment abroad and it is likely you will need specialist cover. You should arrange appropriate cover well in advance of your trip.
- Review FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to email alerts for the latest safety information.
- Review our medical tourism planning checklist.