Story Highlight
– NHS spends up to £20,000 per patient on complications.
– Hundreds treated for complications from surgeries in Turkey.
– Recent fatalities include twelve British patients post-surgery.
– Majority of patients seeking surgery abroad are female.
– Calls for public awareness on risks of surgical tourism.
Full Story
The National Health Service (NHS) is grappling with significant financial implications related to complications arising from cosmetic and obesity surgeries carried out abroad, according to recent findings. Patients returning to the UK after undergoing these procedures, often referred to as ‘surgical tourism,’ sometimes require extensive medical treatment, which can cost the NHS upwards of £20,000 per person due to severe complications, including infections that may necessitate intensive care.
A comprehensive analysis by researchers from Cardiff and Bangor universities, published in BMJ Open, examined the troubling trend of patients seeking surgeries in foreign countries, particularly Turkey, where many turn for various operations, including bariatric surgery and cosmetic enhancements such as breast augmentations and tummy tucks. The report highlighted a stark reality: at least twelve individuals have died following surgical procedures abroad in recent years, with data from the Foreign Office indicating that six Britons perished in Turkey alone during 2024 due to medical issues stemming from surgeries.
The study reviewed 37 different pieces of research, focusing on complications treated by the NHS after international surgeries. Out of this, 19 studies concentrated on metabolic or bariatric surgery, while 17 dealt with cosmetic surgeries and one examined eye surgeries. In total, the NHS managed complications for 655 patients between 2011 and 2024, revealing a concerning trend in post-operative care demands.
The researchers estimated that the cost for treating these patients within the NHS varied considerably, ranging from £1,058 to £19,549 per patient, highlighting the financial burden that the NHS has to shoulder when complications arise from surgeries conducted abroad. Some of the most severe complications included infected wounds that could lead to multiple organ failure, sepsis, and even fatalities related to hypoxic brain injury or cardiac arrest. Following surgery, many patients require prolonged hospital stays, with reports of admissions lasting as long as 49 days.
Predominantly female patients, with an average age of 38, represented a significant demographic amongst those undergoing procedures abroad. Turkey has emerged as a sought-after destination for such medical interventions, representing a staggering 61% of patients who opt for overseas treatment. The popularity of procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, which significantly reduces stomach size, is notable, alongside other cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation and abdominoplasty.
Among the detailed studies assessed, over half of the patients, or 53%, faced moderate to severe complications after their surgeries. However, the authors of the research have cautioned that their analysis does not encompass the entire picture. They noted that related expenses such as consultations with general practitioners, nursing care, and pharmaceutical needs were not included, leading to uncertainty in the total financial impact.
Moreover, the troubling landscape of medical tourism leaves many unanswered questions. The study revealed a lack of data on how many UK residents seek elective surgeries abroad or how many suffer complications. As such, understanding the full extent of the risks associated with overseas medical procedures remains challenging.
Awareness surrounding these issues has garnered attention from health professionals and policymakers alike. The researchers called for public education campaigns to better inform individuals about the potential risks of undergoing medical treatments abroad and the responsibilities associated with any ensuing complications. They noted the necessity of elucidating to prospective patients what the NHS is liable for in terms of complications and what costs they may personally incur.
Adding to the issue, UK doctors often face challenges when treating these patients, primarily due to inadequate medical records or detailed information regarding the procedures performed abroad. The researchers attributed the growing desire for surgical interventions outside the UK to many factors, such as the unavailability of certain procedures on the NHS, lower prices for private surgeries overseas, and the delays often associated with NHS services.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) has echoed these concerns and insisted on the pressing need for improved national data regarding medical tourism. Professor Vivien Lees, vice-president of the RCS, voiced her apprehensions, stating, “Too often people are drawn in by cut-price deals and glossy online marketing, only to return with serious, sometimes life-changing complications.” She further cautioned that this situation inevitably places an additional burden on the NHS, which must provide care in often urgent circumstances without complete knowledge of the surgeries performed.
In a bid to address these issues, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced intentions in 2024 to bolster safety measures for patients considering cosmetic procedures abroad, particularly following several tragic deaths linked to such surgeries. He urged British travellers to exercise caution and think critically before pursuing procedures marketed at exceptionally low prices. The ongoing fatalities related to overseas cosmetic surgery illustrate the dire need for increased scrutiny and support.
Cases such as those of Kaydell Brown, 38, who tragically passed away following multiple surgeries in Turkey, and others, serve as stark reminders of the potential perils associated with medical tourism. Reports of individuals like Hayley Dowell and Janet Lynne Savage, who lost their lives due to complications following surgeries, highlight the critical nature of this public safety concern.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the alarming trend of individuals lured abroad for inexpensive cosmetic procedures, underscoring that the aftermath of such choices often results in significant public health expenditures. They affirmed ongoing efforts to enhance oversight surrounding medical tourism, aiming to safeguard patients and reduce the financial strain on the NHS.
Our Thoughts
The incidents involving surgical tourism, particularly in Turkey, underline a series of safety failures and regulatory breaches. Key lessons include the necessity for enhanced public awareness campaigns regarding the risks and potential complications associated with foreign cosmetic procedures. Patients should be thoroughly informed about the NHS’s limitations concerning post-operative care for surgeries performed abroad, including financial liabilities for complications that arise.
From a regulatory perspective, two main areas of concern arise under UK Health and Safety legislation. Firstly, providers overseas often lack stringent oversight, potentially breaching the principles of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which emphasizes safe practices in medical procedures. Secondly, patients returning with complications indicate shortcomings in post-operative care protocols, potentially breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which stress the importance of risk assessments and safe environments for patients.
Preventative measures could involve better partnerships between UK health authorities and foreign clinics, establishing standards for patient safety, comprehensive medical record transfers, and follow-up care protocols. Enhanced data collection on patients who undergo surgery abroad is also crucial to comprehensively understand the risks involved and mitigate future incidents.
