NHS waiting lists for hip and knee surgery mean patients pay for ‘affordable’ treatments in private clinics abroad

Medical tourism leaders say more patients are paying for treatment abroad rather than endure long waits on the NHS.

Clinics abroad report that more and more Britons are going to the doctor for ‘affordable’ private treatments, including hip and knee replacements, varicose vein removal and dental procedures.

Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows that the number of self-funded hip replacements has increased by almost 200 percent since 2019.

At the first London Health Tourism Expo last weekend, hospital directors from Turkey’s largest private healthcare providers were confident they could recruit more patients willing to travel for cheaper care.

Dr Aydin Arslan, an orthopaedic surgeon who works at two hospitals in Turkey, said he has seen an increase in the number of British patients flying in for surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Dr. Arslan said: ‘The NHS system is very slow and they are suffering pain and discomfort. They want knee and hip replacements, but there is also a lot coming for other non-surgical options, such as stem cell treatments for osteoarthritis.”

Patients typically undergo an online consultation before agreeing on a treatment plan with the therapist. This plan often includes flights, transfers and hotel stays.

For more complicated orthopedic procedures, this can take up to a month.

Treatment prices vary – it costs on average £11,000 for a hip replacement or less than £14,000 for both knees, the equivalent of treatment carried out privately in Britain.

Zoe Chivers, director of services and advocacy at Versus Arthritis, said it was “completely unacceptable” that patients had to choose between long waits or paying for surgery.

She said: ‘We hear from people every day that paying for hip or knee replacement surgery is their only hope.’

But Naveen Cavale, an NHS plastic surgeon and founder of Real Plastic Surgery, warned people against opting for what appears to be the cheaper option.

He said: ‘I have certainly seen patients who have had to go abroad for surgery because of the NHS waiting lists.

‘Medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular, but unfortunately the NHS often has to put right the poor work and substandard care provided abroad. This puts unnecessary pressure on our healthcare system.

‘While there are skilled surgeons in Turkey, there are also many who do not meet the high standards we expect in the UK.’

He added: ‘Patients may be tempted by the lower cost, but they need to be aware of the risks. Quality and safety should never be compromised, and it is crucial to thoroughly research and verify the qualifications of any overseas clinic or surgeon.’

Dr Bessam Farjo, a hair transplant surgeon from Harley Street, said he spent a quarter of his time solving problems arising from poorly performed hair transplants in Turkey and elsewhere.

He said: ‘The initial low cost can lead to higher costs and complications in the long term if the work needs to be redone.

‘Patients come to me hoping to recover from their previous surgeries. They often have to deal with more complex procedures than if they had sought good treatment in the first place.’

It comes days after the British Medical Association said more Britons are dying or needing emergency care in Britain after flying abroad for cheap obesity surgery.

Delegates at a BMA meeting in Belfast backed a motion ‘raising concerns’ about the ‘boom’ in surgical tourism.

‘Painful’ death after gastric band surgery

Shannon Bowe died a ‘painful, horrific death’ after a botched gastric band operation in Turkey, MPs were told earlier this year.

The 28-year-old woman from Falkirk suffered “convulsions” for nine hours before dying after surgery failed, her MP John McNally said.

Ms Bowe had travelled to Turkey in March 2023 to undergo the procedure. She died on 1 April.

Shannon Bowe died a ‘painful, horrific death’ after a botched gastric banding operation in Turkey. Pictured with Ross Stirling

In an emotional tribute, her partner Ross Stirling said: “Sleep tight my angel, love you forever and ever.”

A source close to Ms Bowe said at the time that she had no insurance. They added: ‘It’s so sad. These surgeries are of course risky, but it is so rare that you hear of this happening. Everyone finds it really hard to believe that she is gone.

‘She had no travel insurance and her family will now have to pay thousands of pounds to bring her home.’

The surgery involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach to control food consumption.

The NHS website describes a list of possible side effects, including blood clots and gallstones. It is said that one in 100 patients experience problems after gastric band surgery, while deaths occur in approximately one in 1,000 procedures.