Going abroad for op

Apparently you can now ask to be referred to an NHS hospital of your choice. Suggest you try to get into SWLEOC the stand alone hip and knee unit at Epsom hospital. which is amazing, only waited from end of August when I saw consultant, had knee replacement mid November

Thank you everyone all your replies were read and very much appreciated x

I had a knee replacement in Kaunus, Lithuania in March last year. I had the other knee replaced in December last year. Both were excellent experiences and I am back to normal, walking about 10,000 steps a day in the hills and on local beaches. I highly recommend it. The second operation I looked forward to the care and pampering I would receive. Physio every day geared to your needs. Their health checks are more thorough than in the UK. You fill in a health questionnaire before you are accepted and leave the UK. They won't operate if you are not fit for surgery. I stayed 10 days in a medical spa and was seen regularly by a dr before I flew home. There is hospital next door and any emergency would treated there. Very rare occurrence. I am on a Facebook group of former and potential patients where we all help and advise each other. I know many people who have had hip or knee surgery in Lithuania- we catch up and have a meal together occasionally.

They certainly were very poor at obstetrics in the UK when I had my first two. I had the others in Australia. Chalk and cheese. That was in the 1970s so hopefully things have improved. The dental care was poor,too,at that time. I used to believe the story that the UK was the best in the world for medical procedures but I now think it is one of those myths propagated by the docs.

Polish cleaners I have had have spent annual leave in Poland getting dentistry work done

dogsmother

Chatting to friends about medical treatment in Latvia ( albeit not Lithuania ) I wouldn’t hesitate.
It seems an amazingly good system, disadvantage being you pay. No NHS if you are a national of the country.
A different country but I would look there.

I was on a course a few years ago with a couple of Lithuanian women. They regularly went back home to get dental treatment. They told me the standard of treatment here is nowhere near as good as Lithuania. A Romanian careworker told me the same, she fits in any dental treatment she needs with a visit to her family.

www.lab-asia.com/malaysia-ranks-1st-in-worlds-best-healthcare-category/#:~:text=KUALA%20LUMPUR%20(Bernama)%3A%20Malaysia,Living%20Annual%20Global%20Retirement%20Index

petra

Some people have a very negative view of hospitals outside the uk.
When I was living in Bulgaria I had reason to visit our local hospital twice. This was a hospital that didn’t even have a lift!!!!
But, that hospitals gynaecology unit was able to fix a problem that the NHS had given up on. All sorted within a week.

Some people have a very negative view of hospitals outside the uk.
Indeed

I know two people (who don't know each other at all ) who had to go to hospital in Malaysia when they were en route to/from Australasia. They were both sent to the same hospital which was private (both had travel insurance). They reported that it was like a 5* hotel, there were top surgeons from around the world working there, the staff were wonderful. Both had heart surgery and recovered, one said he didn't think he would have survived if he'd been home in the UK.

I don't know what public health is like in Malaysia.

Chatting to friends about medical treatment in Latvia ( albeit not Lithuania ) I wouldn’t hesitate.
It seems an amazingly good system, disadvantage being you pay. No NHS if you are a national of the country.
A different country but I would look there.

Some people have a very negative view of hospitals outside the uk.
When I was living in Bulgaria I had reason to visit our local hospital twice. This was a hospital that didn’t even have a lift!!!!
But, that hospitals gynaecology unit was able to fix a problem that the NHS had given up on. All sorted within a week.

The other question is, who sorts it out if they get post op infection?

The same as here if things go wrong after a private operation in the UK. As they can and do.
The good old NHS, of course.

infection risk

Why would that be more than in the UK, either NHS or private?

NO!!!! Absolutely not! It isn't just the operation itself, it's the anaesthesia, post-op recovery, infection risk, pain relief and the risk of DVT.
Far too many 'what-ifs' in my opinion.

Lovetopaint037

It’s the plane journey after the op that would worry me. I believe there is a greater chance of thrombosis for some time after an operation. How long would she stay in Lithuania before coming home?

Good point.. I was told not to fly for 6 weeks after my Hip replacement.
The other question is, who sorts it out if they get post op infection? who takes the clips or non dissolvable stitches out? Or has other problems?
Sounds like the NHS? So they have to fix it as a possible emergency. You can't fly back to surgical hospital.

nanna8

Australian doctors are very good at hip replacements but they are not cheap.( about $25,000 average) Then there is the rehab which can be a while. The recovery from hip replacements is quicker than for knees, oddly enough.

That’s about the same as it costs in the UK privately too. There would also be a good chance of a UK trained doctor doing your operation!

Callistemon21

GrandmaKT

Can you ask for the operation to be done in another part of the UK? My husband (and a couple of other people I know) was only on the waiting list for 13 weeks for a hip replacement - NW England.

We are not even allowed to go across the border to England now!!
Unless it is to go privately of course.

If you meet the criteria you can travel to any approved European country to get treatment from Wales too Callistemon, the S2 legislation applies, as it does in England and Scotland.
I wouldn’t have any concerns about having an operation paid for by the NHS in France or Germany myself if it meant I could escape a long waiting list in the UK. This route also ensures you get NHS aftercare in the UK.

They will do both knees at the same time in Australia, though. Not sure about hips.

Australian doctors are very good at hip replacements but they are not cheap.( about $25,000 average) Then there is the rehab which can be a while. The recovery from hip replacements is quicker than for knees, oddly enough.

GrandmaKT

Can you ask for the operation to be done in another part of the UK? My husband (and a couple of other people I know) was only on the waiting list for 13 weeks for a hip replacement - NW England.

We are not even allowed to go across the border to England now!!
Unless it is to go privately of course.

I wouldn’t be brave enough but know a woman who went to Poland for surgery to remove loads of excess fat from her arms, tummy and legs. This was following dieting to lose a lot of weight.

She took a friend with her and they said it was spotless, 100% professional and everything went fine and half the price it was here in UK.

Can you ask for the operation to be done in another part of the UK? My husband (and a couple of other people I know) was only on the waiting list for 13 weeks for a hip replacement - NW England.

It’s the plane journey after the op that would worry me. I believe there is a greater chance of thrombosis for some time after an operation. How long would she stay in Lithuania before coming home?

I think healthcare in Lithuania, both private and state, probably compares very favourably with the UK.

I only know what happened to someone here and what they were told Callistemon however I do know there are definitely agreements with overseas hospital but this wasn’t one
She found it herself
I agree with your post Casdon I certainly wasn’t knocking other countries healthcare

My friend had a knee replacement done in Lithuana accompanied by her husband. Assisted passengers from UK directly to the hospital. Operation done then to a spa with physio etc. She had a choice of spa, hotel or private apartment. Accommodation and food included. She says it was excellent, ten days. Wouldn't hesitate to return, £8,000 all in. It was recommended to her by a work colleague who had been.

Still don't know that I'd be brave enough. Even though NHS waiting is 5 years in our area.