'Medical tourism' goes under microscope

TRAVELLING abroad for healthcare is to go under a microscope as a York academic sets out to discover the value for money truth behind “medical tourism” and its impact on the NHS.

Dr Neil Lunt, of the York University Management School, will head a team of researchers that includes health economists, social scientists and clinicians.

The perceived upside of patients shopping abroad for cheaper dental services, elective surgery for hip or joint replacement, cosmetic surgery and fertility treatment is it cuts waiting lists in the UK while boosting the economies of poorer countries.

However, if something goes wrong after the patient returns home it may be the NHS which is left to sort out any complications.

Medical tourism is mainly privately funded and the researchers will seek to establish the amount people are paying for it. The study will also be looking to see if people are making informed choices or being sucked into decisions by internet gossip.