Almost one in five medical tourists have encountered problems after going abroad for treatment, a consumer watchdog has revealed.
Which? surveyed nearly 300 UK residents who had gone overseas for medical treatment – and found that 18 per cent had run into difficulties.
One patient suffered a tummy tuck which turned septic, while another underwent liposuction which led to th
e patient's stomach leaking cellulite.
While 57 per cent of those surveyed said they were very satisfied with their treatment, 8 per cent had to turn to the NHS for aid in an emergency after having treatment abroad.
More than a quarter of people surveyed did not feel they had received the follow-up care they required.
The investigation also saw a Which? researcher posing as a patient to call companies offering medical treatment abroad.
One firm told the researcher that a knee replacement was not a risky procedure and that he would not need to see anyone medically qualified when he got home.
But according to Which?, this was not true, as half of such patients need physiotherapy and all cases need to be reviewed.
The investigation comes as more UK residents are tempted by lower treatment costs overseas.
About 80,000 people went abroad for surgery in 2006, according to a Civil Aviation Authority survey published last year.
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