Big vote of confidence in medical treatment abroad

NINE out of ten people who travelled abroad for medical treatment would be happy to do so again, according to the results of a new study.

The research, commissioned by independent medical tourism advice site www.treatmentabroad.com, show that Belgium was the most popular destination for those in the UK travelling overseas for treatment, followed by Hungary and Poland.

At 42 per cent of respondents, cosmetic surgery was the most popular reason for going abroad for treatment, followed by dental treatment at 32 per cent, obesity surgery (9pc), and infertility treatment and orthopaedic surgery (both 4pc).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ninety per cent of the 1,045 people who took part in the study said they would “definitely or probably” go abroad for treatment again, while the same number would recommend going abroad for treatment to a friend or relative.

In terms of financial savings, 71 per cent of those surveyed said they had saved more than £2,000 by travelling overseas and 13 per cent said they had saved more than £10,000.

Keith Pollard, managing director of www.treatmentabroad.com, said: “I was surprised to see exactly how much money people were saving by travelling abroad, and how satisfied they were with the experience.

“So often, overseas treatment is portrayed as being a poor alternative to what is available in the UK and yet it’s clear from this survey that that is simply not true.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The vast majority of people who go overseas for treatment are delighted not only with the experience and the levels of care but also with the results, be it medical or cosmetic.”

When it came to language barriers, 82 per cent of respondents said that clinic or hospital staff spoke their language “very or extremely” well. Only four per cent said staff spoke their language “not at all well”.

More than two thirds of those surveyed said they did not require further treatment or a follow-up appointment upon returning home.

Seven out of ten said that they were contacted by their overseas clinic upon their return home.

The International Passenger Survey suggests that around 70,000 UK residents travel abroad for surgery or treatment each year.

Related topics: