Number of UK medical tourists set to soar
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Countries such as Poland and Bulgaria will experience a rush of Britons seeking cheap medical treatment abroad, a report predicts.
The Economist Intelligence Unit has suggested there will be a further increase in the number of British "medical tourists", if waiting times increase as a result of government cuts.
A new EU directive coming into force in 2013, which reimburses patients for treatment received in other EU countries, is expected to encourage the trend.
Figures suggest that more than 50,000 people in the UK already go abroad for treatment every year. The report says outbound medical travel from the UK has been growing far faster than inbound over the past decade.
Some patients want treatments that are poorly covered by private insurers or the NHS. These can include hip replacement, knee replacement, laser eye surgery and cataract removal "for which there are long waiting lists", the study says.
Other procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, dental treatment and fertility treatments, top the list.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments