The BMJ Open analysis covered 655 patients treated in NHS hospitals for postoperative complications metabolic/bariatric surgery (385), cosmetic (265) and ophthalmic (5) surgery tourism.
Most patients were women (90%), with an average age of 38 (range 14–69) years, with Turkey the most common destination (61%).
Infection and wound dehiscence were most commonly reported for cosmetic surgery tourism. There was evidence that some patients needed complex treatment involving long hospital stays and multiple surgical interventions.
The research estimated elective surgery costs to the NHS ranged from £1,058 to £19,549 per patient.
The report stated: ‘A systematic approach is needed to collecting information on the number of people who travel abroad for elective surgery and the frequency and impact on the UK NHS of treating complications.'
Reaction
Dr Sarah Townley, deputy medical director at Medical Protection Society, said there was an ‘urgent need for greater public awareness of the risks of surgical tourism, to ensure patients are undertaking adequate research and making informed decisions'.
Professor Vivien Lees, vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said there was a ‘critical need for reliable national data on how many people this affects'.
Prof Lees added: ‘It should not be the role of the NHS to routinely mop up the mistakes of private providers overseas, and we would encourage the Government to continue bringing pressure to bear on foreign providers and other Governments including to cover the costs of complications that happen in their countries.
‘Better public information, including building on the UK government's partnership with TikTok, and improved data collection are essential to protect patients and the NHS.'
Chloe Beresford, chief executive, MYA said: ‘The findings published in BMJ Open this week are a sobering validation of what we have seen for years: there is no such thing as a "bargain" when it comes to surgery. A £20,000 bill for the NHS is the physical and financial cost of a system abroad that often prioritises volume over victim support and aftercare.
‘We fully support health secretary Wes Streeting's warnings. Patients must look beyond the "surgery holiday" and choose the security of a GMC-registered surgeon and a CQC-regulated facility. Staying local is the only way to ensure your transformation doesn't become a statistic.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Too many people are being lured overseas for cheap cosmetic procedures, only to come home with life-changing complications that – as this report shows - end up costing the NHS thousands of pounds.
‘We have launched a major drive to crack down on dangerous medical tourism and raise awareness of the risks medical tourism brings.
‘The UK Government has been actively engaging with Governments overseas on how to support the safety of patients who decide they wish to travel for medical treatment and will be updating its guidance in due course.'
