Self-funded treatment abroad

More and more people are paying for private treatment outside of the UK.

If you are considering this as an option, please be aware of the following:

Before treatment

Do your research. It is your responsibility to gather as much information and advice as possible on the credibility and safety of the chosen service, so you can make an informed decision about whether to go ahead.

If you choose to go ahead it's important to contact your GP before you travel to discuss the treatment you are having abroad and to arrange aftercare for when you come home.

This will ensure the referral process for any aftercare that may be needed begins before you go abroad for treatment. 

You will also be made aware of the current waiting times in the services that you will need.

It is your responsibility to make sure aftercare is arranged before you have self-funded treatment abroad. Due to local waiting times, there may be a significant delay in accessing aftercare if these suggestions are not followed.

After treatment

When you have treatment abroad, you must ask the treatment provider for their follow-up recommendations documented within a written discharge summary in English.

This should include any medication and doses, as well as any dates that blood tests and follow-up appointments must be carried out.

It's important to contact your GP as soon as you arrive back and give them a copy of the translated discharge summary together with any other relevant medical information or documents that you have been given by the treatment provider. These should also be translated.