Brits who travel abroad for medical treatment are doing so because they are fed up with UK waiting lists, admit three quarters (74%) of GPs in a new report out today.
Brits who travel abroad for medical treatment are doing so because they are fed up with UK waiting lists, admit three quarters (74%) of GPs in a new report out today.
GPs have confirmed there is a new trend of UK citizens travelling abroad for treatment with one in five saying they have seen a notable increase in the number of their patients doing so.
The GP panel, interviewed as part of Norwich Union Healthcare’s ‘Health of the Nation Index’, also reports that nearly half (45%) of their patients who travel to another country for medical treatment, are doing so for major operations such as cardiac surgery and hip replacement. The most popular destinations include India, Costa Rica, South Africa, Germany, America and Thailand.*
And a further online poll conducted by the leading health insurer revealed that 83% would travel abroad for a major operation if the waiting time was less than in the UK.
Dr Ann Robinson, one of the GPs who took part in the Norwich Union Healthcare research, says: "I’m surprised by these results. I didn’t realise that so many people are seeking diagnosis and treatment abroad. I might have expected people to travel for fairly minor operations such as cosmetic surgery or varicose vein procedures, but not for major surgery like heart bypasses and hip replacement.
"If everything goes according to plan, having an operation in another country may seem like a good solution however patients must be fully aware that there are a number of risks associated with having an operation abroad which may not occur to them before they travel."
Having an operation is never risk-free but there can be added dangers involved in travelling abroad for treatment. Norwich Union Healthcare has put together some important considerations that patients should be aware of:
- It can be difficult to obtain information about foreign hospitals and consultants
- Travelling with an existing condition could increase the risk of developing further symptoms eg a thrombosis
- Complications following an operation could leave patients stranded for up to three months longer than they bargained for
- Patients may have to cope abroad on their own without family & friends nearby for support - this could be a hidden cost if a patient wants their family with them throughout their treatment
- Language barriers could cause problems in communication – ie when discussing complicated medical procedures
- A patient’s GP may not be aware of the treatment they have had. Even if relevant documentation is brought back, the format may be different and difficult to understand
- There is no easy stream of communication with a foreign hospital. If complications develop later on, GPs will have limited access to x-rays, blood test results etc.
Dr Ann Robinson adds: "Although some Government initiatives have been put in place to begin reducing hospital waiting times, it is estimated that around 50,000 people are leaving the UK for treatment every year.** It's clear therefore that a lot more still needs to be done to address this issue and ensure UK citizens receive the medical attention they need quickly on the NHS."
As well as shorter waiting lists, doctors also believe that faster and more reliable diagnostic services would also help to reduce the wait for medical treatment in the UK.
The findings are part of Norwich Union Healthcare’s fifth ‘Health of the Nation Index’, now entering its third year, which looks at GPs’ current views of the health service.
The Index also shows that GPs believe their local NHS services remain poor and are unable to cope with some of the increasingly prevalent conditions they see in their surgeries.
The percentage of GPs who believe that local NHS Trust offers poor service:
| Eating disorder | 66% |
| Alcohol & Drug addiction | 58% |
| Depression | 47% |
| Children with learning difficulties | 47% |
| Hip/knee replacement | 42% |
Dr Doug Wright at Norwich Union Healthcare adds: "One of the main themes that has been highlighted by the fifth ‘Health of the Nation Index’ is the growing concern GPs have about their patients’ medical experiences and the quality of care available within the NHS. Believing that their local NHS Trusts aren’t able to cope with some of the core health challenges of today is one of the strongest indicators of this.
"Norwich Union Healthcare is committed to continue monitoring the thoughts and concerns of GPs tracking what they see are the major issues and potential solutions when it comes to the nation’s health and wellbeing."
Roger Taylor, research director at Dr Foster, the independent healthcare research organisation who carried out the research said: "We hope that giving patients choice about where they are treated in England and the provision of more capacity through private hospitals and treatment centres will mean that patients do not feel it necessary to travel abroad for treatment as this is not the ideal solution for patients."
-ends-
Media contacts:
Charlotte Ruddlesdin or Jo Misson, QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424
Norwich Union Press Office contacts:
Lorna Wiltshire: 07800 695 150
James Evans: 01904 452 791 or 07800 699 525Notes to editors:
Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned Dr Foster to conduct research amongst 250 practicing General Practitioners from across the UK during January and February 2005.
1596 were polled by Norwich Union Healthcare’s on www.norwichunion.com between February and May 2005.* Guardian, G2 section May 2004
** Guardian G2 section May 2004
About Norwich Union Healthcare
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products that cover over 750,000 lives. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Norwich Union Healthcare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Service Authority and is a member of the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
- Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva’s internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media.
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcast. Call QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424.
About Dr Foster
- Dr Foster is the leading independent authority on healthcare quality in the UK. It publishes information which is accessible to the general public and provides information analysis to the professional healthcare community.
An independent Ethics Committee with substantial powers to enforce editorial and research integrity oversees the organization.
Further information is available at www.drfoster.co.uk