Treatment Abroad comes of age for UK patients

Press release -  11 March 2008

The largest research study examining the motivations and experiences of UK residents who travel abroad for medical treatment is published today by TreatmentAbroad.com, the leading provider of information on overseas treatment options. The research illustrates how the experiences of ‘medical tourists’ are resoundingly positive with 97 per cent of patients willing to travel abroad for treatment again.

Saving money is the top reason for people seeking treatment overseas, stated by 83 per cent of those asked. In addition a large number of elective surgery patients said they had travelled abroad to avoid NHS waiting lists (63 per cent) or because they were worried about the risk of infections such as MRSA (56 per cent) in the UK.

It is estimated around 100,000 people travelled abroad for surgery and dental treatment in 2007 and this number continues to rise.  A range of treatment and location options are now available and patients are travelling across the globe for a range of treatments including cosmetic and elective surgery, dentistry and fertility treatment.

The research shows a wide variance in the amount of money patients are spending on treatment, with around 6 per cent spending in excess of £10,000. Nearly 10 per cent of people estimated that they had saved as much as £10,000 by travelling abroad.

Keith Pollard, Managing Director of Treatment Abroad, said: “Every month 50,000 people visit TreatmentAbroad.com to find information about overseas healthcare providers and our research provides the first full analysis of their experiences. There are a growing number of services for patients and I am pleased to see that so many people have positive experiences. I would urge anyone who is considering treatment abroad to ensure that they are using a reputable clinic - www.treatmentabroad.com provides a free download of a Guide to Medical Tourism.”

The research also found that it is not only women who are travelling abroad for treatment, 40 per cent of those responding were male. 92 per cent of cosmetic surgery patients were female, while 69 per cent of those having elective surgery and scans were male. The majority of people choosing to have treatment abroad are aged between 40-59 (56.5 per cent).

The top destinations for treatment include Hungary, predominantly for dental treatment, Cyprus, for cosmetic surgery and India, for surgery and scans. Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic are also among the most popular destinations.

Although cost is the main motivator for travelling abroad, it has less influence in the selection of a treatment provider. The most important consideration here was the quality of the health professionals (88 per cent), followed by quality of facilities (85 per cent) and a positive reputation of the clinic (77 per cent). 

Keith Pollard concluded: “There is a lot of misconception about the quality and experiences of medical tourists. Our research shows undoubtedly that whether patients are travelling to Hungary for dentistry over the weekend or to Spain for cosmetic surgery and a two week holiday, they are having positive experiences. The quality and range of treatment available, coupled with the cost benefits, means that having overseas treatment is now a real option for many people.”

Treatment Abroad has also launched a Code of Practice for Medical Tourism. The code is intended to provide reassurance regarding the key issues that concern patients who are thinking of treatment in other countries, such as having information provided in good English and arrangements for appropriate aftercare. The Code aims to foster best practice in medical tourism and will help patients make informed decisions when selecting their treatment provider.

Further information about medical tourism, including a free guide for consumers is available at www.treatmentabroad.com

ENDS

For further information and interviews, including case studies, please contact the press office on 020 7025 7561 or e-mail treatmentabroad@trimediauk.com

Notes to editors

1. An in-depth survey was carried out involving 648 people who travelled abroad for treatment in 2007. The survey was carried out online and gathered quantitative and qualitative responses.

2. A full copy of the research and accompanying report is available to purchase from www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/medical-tourist-research

3. According to the International Passenger Survey, over 70,000 people from the UK travelled abroad for treatment in 2006, figures for 2007 are due to be published later this year and expected to rise to 100,000.

4. Treatment Abroad has recently launched an accreditation system for overseas healthcare providers - the Code of Practice for Medical Tourism. Consumers will soon be able to visit the Treatment Abroad website and see which providers have signed up to the Code. More information can be found at www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/code-of-practice

5. www.treatmentabroad.com is managed by Intuition Communication Ltd and is the leading web site designed to meet the needs of an increasing number of people looking abroad for surgery and medical treatment abroad. The site provides clear advice on all types of treatment from dentistry and cosmetic surgery to knee and hip operations and fertility treatment.

Treatment Abroad press release: March 2008