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Watch out for scalpels on holiday
Think carefully before heading for sun, sea and scalpels. So says Which? - the consumer watchdog having surveyed UK residents who'd travelled overseas for medical treatment. While 50% said they were very satisfied with their treatment, 18% had run into problems. This included a tummy tuck going septic and liposuction leading to one person's stomach leaking cellulite.
Meanwhile, 8% had to turn to the NHS for help in an emergency after having treatment abroad, and more than a quarter didn't feel they had received the follow-up care they needed.
More people from the UK are choosing to go abroad for surgery each year - around 80,000 did so in 2006. People are attracted by the big savings that can be made. A dental implant, which can cost £2,200 in the UK, for example, can be as little as £750 in Hungary; and a tummy tuck that would cost £4,000 in the UK could be half the price in Poland.
The watchdog urges potential medical tourists to do their homework beforehand, such as checking a doctor's qualifications and registration with a professional body. People need to be clear about what their contract says in the event of a complication and remember that legal rights differ across countries.
Neil Fowler of Which? makes the point that if medical tourists want to avoid potential problems, ask the right questions beforehand, speak to UK health professionals, and don't assume you'll have a safety net if things don't go according to plan.
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