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Medical treatment abroad - just how safe is it?

At some point in 2007, you probably read articles in the press about patients from the United Kingdom who travelled to Hungary for dental treatment, or listened to a radio discussion about a patient who decided to travel to India for a hip replacement in order to beat NHS waiting lists and the often prohibitively expensive costs of private healthcare in the United Kingdom. As the number of patients considering their options outside the United Kingdom looks set to increase, it is certain that you'll be hearing more about what is otherwise known as "medical tourism" in 2008. But what are the benefits and risks of being treated in a foreign hospital? Alison Hope of StatMedica provides insight into this growing trend, and offers practical advice for patients considering their options overseas.

Away from the sensational tabloid headlines and references to "nip and tuck breaks", there are many practical reasons for considering medical treatment abroad. Value for money is one of the key reasons: The cost of living in countries in Central and Eastern Europe is a lot less compared to in the United Kingdom, therefore the cost of dental and medical treatment is a lot less. If we take dental implants as an example, A patient can expect to pay £2, 400 for a single implant at a dental clinic in the United Kingdom, yet would pay in the region of £800 in Poland. This price comparison is based on both dentists using the same materials - the same brands of dental implant that are used by dentists in the United Kingdom are also used in Poland, and in most cases come with a 5-10 year guarantee.

Indeed, a wide range of procedures ranging from cataract removal to hip replacement, and from gastric band to chin-tuck can cost up to 70% less in private clinics in countries such as Poland.

Even once you take the cost of flights and accommodation into consideration, considerable savings can still be made. Hotels and medical spa resorts are much cheaper in Central and Eastern Europe, and with so many budget airlines connecting cities across the United Kingdom to destinations all over Poland, there has never been cheaper, nor more convenient time to travel to Poland.

It all sounds ideal but surely there are risks involved in going to another country for dental or medical treatment? There are risks with any procedure, whether it is performed in your home town or on the other side of the world. Regardless of your procedure and regardless of the destination that you have in mind, it is crucial to research your procedure as much as possible. Don't make decisions based on price alone, and be prepared to pay more for one of the country's top specialists - you should find that you will be still be paying a lot less than you would in the United Kingdom.

It is also important to take into consideration the practical aspects of getting to your destinations - after all, you do not want to spend a long time travelling home following any major surgery.

Patients who travel overseas for treatment are more inclined to scrutinise the experience and qualifications of their surgeon, much more than they would a doctor or specialist in their home town. They also tend to consider detail such as infection control, as many hospitals in Europe have much lower instances of the potentially fatal MRSA superbug than in the United Kingdom.

The patient can also minimise the risk of complications by paying careful attention to the post operative advice given by the doctor. This may involve taking plenty of rest, staying out of direct sunlight and wearing surgical dressings or garments.

"But what if something goes wrong?" is a commonly asked question. It is important that you let the doctor or specialist know that you are not happy with your treatment as soon as possible, rather than waiting until you are back at home. By selecting a doctor with an outstanding reputation and excellent credentials, you can be assured that the doctor will do everything possible to ensure a delighted patient. In some cases, the doctors will have a partner in the United Kingdom who can carry out any follow up work.

With careful planning and research, medical tourism can be a credible option for patients who want to escape NHS waiting lists and anxiety over the MRSA super bug, yet find the cost of private healthcare prohibitively expensive.

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StatMedica is a unique partnership with English-speaking staff in both the United Kingdom and in Poland. It offers a wide range of services for patients travelling to Poland for dental and medical treatment.

It works with highly regarded hospitals and clinics, which specialise in a variety of treatments, including cosmetic surgery, dentistry, eye surgery, fertility treatment and general surgery. StatMedica selects its partner clinics based on a series of strict criteria. StatMedica offers patients a personal service depending on their individual needs at every step of the process - from guidance on selecting the most suitable hospital to planning the logistic aspects of travel to Poland. English-speaking staff in Poland also provide local support, including airport transfer, translation and 24 hour care by an English-speaking healthcare professional.

For further information call Alison Hope on 0780 571 5527 or e-mail StatMedica. Alternatively visit the StatMedica Website

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