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Health

Going abroad for op

(45 Posts)
Casdon Fri 23-Feb-24 20:34:57

There are agreements in place for patients on NHS waiting lists to have treatment in approved hospitals in Europe. I assume your friend is already on an NHS waiting list, she should enquire with her local NHS commissioner if an NHS funded/approved site is available as an alternative to waiting on the list in the UK. If she meets the criteria the NHS will fund her. That’s a much safer and cheaper option than an unregulated operation in Lithuania.
www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/european-cross-border-healthcare/travelling-to-europe-for-planned-healthcare-the-s2-scheme/

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 20:10:08

BlueBelle

Just to say these private clinics overseas do not have any emergency facilities if anything does go wrong
My friend took a bank loan out for £15,000 to have his done privately in the uk ….he’s 80

So what would have happened had something gone wrong? As it did with my friend at a private hospital here when she got fed up with waiting 4 years for a knee replacement on the NHS.

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 20:07:47

NHS, sorry

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 20:07:33

BlueBelle

*Be aware that if things go wrong abroad, you will usually have to pay for treatment. Follow-up care might not be easily available and may not be covered by the NHS*

🤔

If the NGS treats murders, rapists, foreigners who arrive here, people who have had private treatment in the UK, why would they not treat a UK citizen in the unlikely event that they might have post-operative problems after treatment overseas?

Lithuania is not a third-world country and even in third-world countries treatment in private clinics and hospitals is as good as you would find anywhere.

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 20:04:02

BlueBelle

Just to say these private clinics overseas do not have any emergency facilities if anything does go wrong
My friend took a bank loan out for £15,000 to have his done privately in the uk ….he’s 80

That is just so wrong. 😡

BlueBelle Fri 23-Feb-24 18:59:43

Just to say these private clinics overseas do not have any emergency facilities if anything does go wrong
My friend took a bank loan out for £15,000 to have his done privately in the uk ….he’s 80

petra Fri 23-Feb-24 17:47:17

I’ve known about procedures in Lithuania for some time.

Here is an article from The Guardian. It’s good.

www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/21/not-medical-tourism-desperation-britons-resort-treatment-abroad

My friend has had several cosmetic procedures done there. She said she wouldn’t hesitate to go again. But she is a person who researches and researches.

BlueBelle Fri 23-Feb-24 17:45:00

Be aware that if things go wrong abroad, you will usually have to pay for treatment. Follow-up care might not be easily available and may not be covered by the NHS

Nanamary19 Fri 23-Feb-24 17:43:13

Callistemon21 Yes Lithuania
Sorry for the spelling error

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 17:33:16

What is the current waiting time for a hip replacement in England?
18 weeks
This right only applies to patients that receive services commissioned by the NHS in England. The maximum waiting time for a knee and hip replacement is 18 weeks. Your waiting time will start from the time that the hospital receives your referral letter or when you book your first referral appointment through the NHS.6 Mar 2023

🤣🤣🤣

Oh, pull the other one! Ouch, that hurt!!

5 years is more likely here.

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 17:29:34

llithauia

I presume this is Lithuania and not some obscure Welsh hospital?
Waiting lists in Wales are horrendous!

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 17:27:24

BlueBelle

No no no no no
If anything goes wrong after she returns NHS won’t touch her

I think they would, but I wouldn't advise doing it.
What is the cost compared with a private operation in the UK? (where, if things go wrong, the NHS has to step in)

I did think of going to Australia for a double knee replacement operation but decided against it.

If you're in pain and your whole life is impacted, the waiting lists here are years long and sometimes people become desperate.

Nanamary19 Fri 23-Feb-24 16:31:13

Thank you ladies
I as a friend am very concerned for her as she has a few other health issues.

Visgir1 Fri 23-Feb-24 16:30:07

No way...

keepingquiet Fri 23-Feb-24 16:29:08

No chance

BlueBelle Fri 23-Feb-24 16:26:15

No no no no no
If anything goes wrong after she returns NHS won’t touch her

welbeck Fri 23-Feb-24 16:24:19

as so often recently,
i second GSM's wise words.

Shelflife Fri 23-Feb-24 16:23:19

I would strongly advise your friend not to go !

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 23-Feb-24 16:21:09

Never in a million years!

Nanamary19 Fri 23-Feb-24 16:15:20

Has anyone gone to llithauia for a hip replacement ?
Asking for a friend who without giving it a second thought and without searching for information is seriously thinking about it . 🤔