In Britain, we are fortunate in having the wonderful NHS. This means that treatment is free at the point of service to every UK citizen. Our doctors, dentists, nurses and technicians are second to none. So why go abroad? Why go to Turkey?

Our NHS is chronically underfunded. Nurses' pay is poor when you compare them with the life and death responsibilities they take on a daily basis, technicians can be in short supply, equipment may be outdated or simply not available and doctors are overworked and exhausted. This follows a decade of low funding, hospital trusts sinking more deeply into debt as cuts in social care and pubic health bite. Yet our NHS still struggles on to give all of us some of the very best treatment in the world.

However, cuts do have to be made and some treatments are not available on the NHS. Waiting lists are long, even for urgent medical problems like cancer or painful conditions such as a need for joint replacement. And finding an NHS dentist is a matter of postcode and luck.

NICE

NICE stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It sets the standards for care and the priority areas for quality improvement in health and social care. It also acts as a rationalising point – does this (often expensive) drug give results we can afford or is this treatment worth it in economic terms? They aim to give us the best possible medical care using the resources we have available. And sometimes people, find they are unable to access the particular treatment they feel they need on the NHS, or it may simply not be available in the UK.

The cost

Medical insurance is not cheap in the UK. The average premium for UK private health insurance is £1,435 per year, although it may be cheaper – it depends upon factors like your age, your sex and whether you smoke. If you have sufficient savings it might be less costly to pay privately for any treatment when you need it than to pay regular insurance premiums.

Sometimes people wonder whether they get better treatment when they “go private”. The answer is that they get exactly the same quality of medical treatment, often by the same doctors – but they may get better meals, a nicer room – and they cut the waiting list.

This is where Turkey can nearly always offer the UK citizen a more cost-effective treatment – for the same quality of care. As an example, suppose you require a knee replacement? This would cost you over £10,000 in the UK – and just £4,000 in Turkey. (These figures are approximate since they do change.)

Waiting times

At present, the waiting times for essential treatment are far, far too long in the UK – and COVID has put so much extra pressure on the NHS that it is likely to take many months to catch up, even when restrictions are lifted.  The target of treating cancer patients within 62 days of urgent GP referral has not been met for over 5 years – with sometimes disastrous effects on the outcome for the patient.

 Go to Turkey and be seen almost immediately.

Quality of treatment?

Doctors and dentists in Turkey are skilled and highly qualified. Many have trained in the UK or America and then chosen to go back to Turkey to work – and who can blame them. Some of the same reasons Brits might enjoy their stay in Turkey no doubt apply to the medical staff working there.

One point you need to be aware of is that pharmacies there do not accept British prescriptions so take enough of your medicines to cover an unexpected delay. In addition, some common prescription or over-the-counter medications are controlled in Turkey and you may need documentation. Your agent can help you with this. You should also have funds readily available to you to cover the costs of unexpected delays or repatriation.

Special treatments and cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery is not routinely provided on the NHS. Only if there are severe psychological reasons may it be offered. Plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery is different and is often available on the NHS  but there may be a considerable waiting list.

Turkey has gained an international reputation for success in hair transplants. They are not offered on the NHS since they are seen as a cosmetic procedure, although baldness can be mentally upsetting.

A private hair transplant in the UK costs between £1,000 and £30,000, depending on the extent of hair loss and the sort of procedure you need, together with the individual clinic. In Turkey, prices start from £1,000 but in general, are about 75% less than in the UK  and there is a wide choice of accredited clinics – but having a hair transplant is still a  big decision, but far easier in Turkey.

Other reasons for travelling to Turkey from the UK

Turkey is a beautiful country with decent weather and plenty of beaches and sunshine. There is a depth of cultural interest for those who want to learn more about the county and the people – and Turkey has a huge number of spas and mineral springs to aid the medical tourists’ recovery in the most pleasant and relaxing manner. A short holiday to enhance recovery is a popular choice.

The Turkish people are some of the most welcoming you will find – and a friendly face when you are not feeling at your best can be a great tonic.

Getting there is easy – about 4 hours from a London airport and then good local transport and nice accommodation (and the food is wonderful – fresh and varied).

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID has changed everything and you will need to assess the current situation. This can be difficult with conflicting and daily changing advice as the pandemic plays itself out. Fortunately. there are places you can go to for all the administrative advice and help you need to make your medical journey pleasant and stress-free. Let an expert take on the responsibility of dealing with documents, accommodation and accreditation for you, so you can relax knowing that you are in good hands all of the way.

Summary

If you are looking for high-quality medical treatment at an affordable price you need to look no further than Turkey. The medical treatments are top quality – you will be in safe hands. The system is used to medical tourists which makes the whole journey relaxing and stress-free. The government has put the necessary funding and infrastructure in place.

Cosmetic surgery and other treatments you may want may not be available on the NHS – and can be very costly in the UK if you choose to go privately. Costs in Turkey are far less in most cases. Turkey is easy to travel to and the whole experience can seem like a holiday, with beautiful scenery, welcoming people and world-famous mineral springs and spas.

Turkey is the ideal destination for cold, long-suffering Brits to go for sunshine, fast action and a warm welcome. Turkey is experienced in offering quality treatment, low prices and safety to their medical tourists. All your administrative needs can be catered for by Mediphi if you would reach us out on the link here discuss your needs.