With long NHS waiting lists and high private health care costs, more UK patients are seeking treatment abroad for procedures such as bariatric surgery, dentistry, fertility treatment, and cosmetic surgery. In 2024, around 5,000 UK patients underwent bariatric surgery overseas - comparable to the 4,500 treated annually by the NHS.

Many returning patients require NHS follow-up care, but a lack of co-ordination between international providers and the NHS creates challenges. Differences in care standards, complications, and limited NHS resources can lead to severe clinical and financial consequences, with some patients suffering harm or even dying.

Congress is asked to consider:

• the role of nursing staff in educating patients on the risks of medical tourism, including infection, complications, and incompatibility with NHS standards
• whether a framework should be established to charge patients for NHS treatment of complications arising from overseas procedures
• opportunities for improved collaboration between overseas providers and the NHS, including shared medical records and coordinated pre- and post-treatment care
• whether the debate focuses solely on costs related to complications rather than acknowledging the benefits for those accessing otherwise unavailable treatments.

This issue is set to grow and requires urgent attention.

Reference

Aggarwal R and Ahmed A R (2024) The rising trend of health tourism in bariatric surgery, The Bulletin of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 106 (6). doi: https://doi.org/10.1308/rcsbull.2024.105