Text by Alison Hope

Every now and again, the press in the United Kingdom and Ireland picks up on the fact that more and more patients are willing to travel for treatment – from newspaper reports chronicling the NHS’s dwindling provisions for treatment such as dentistry or orthopaedics, to features in glossy magazines showing how cosmetic surgery can cost significantly less in countries such as the Czech Republic, India and Thailand. You are probably thinking that such cases are rare - after all, jetting off to another country does seem like an extreme measure, yet the figures speak for themselves; research compiled by TreatmentAbroad.net suggests that approximately 70, 000 patients from the United Kingdom opted to have treatment overseas in 2007. This number is likely to rise, as the concept of travelling to another country for dental and medical treatment becomes more widely accepted.

Why are so many patients packing their bags and going abroad for their treatment? The availability of certain treatments such as dentistry and fertility treatment on the NHS is somewhat limited, yet the alternative of going to a private clinic in the United Kingdom is prohibitively expensive for many patients. Patients seeking treatment in Central Europe, for instance, can certainly get better value for money without compromising on the standard of their care, and with careful research they may even find themselves in a consultation with one of Europe’s leading surgeons or specialists.

 Poland in particular has emerged as a popular destination for British patients seeking dental and medical treatment. This is certainly driven by the fact that Polish doctors and dentists enjoy an excellent reputation for their expertise and skill, yet many procedures cost 60-70% less at private hospitals in Poland than in the United Kingdom. Even once the costs of flights and accommodation have been taken into consideration, travelling to Poland for dental or medical treatment makes sense, especially when faced with a medical bill that runs in to several thousand pounds in the United Kingdom.

Initially, it was mainly German patients living near the Polish border who would drive into cities such as Szczecin for dental treatment and minor aesthetic procedures who accounted for a large number of the so-called “medical tourists”, yet as the number of low-cost airlines expand their routes, connecting cities across the United Kingdom with an ever increasing list of destinations in Poland, there has never been a more affordable, nor convenient time for patients to travel to Poland – a return flight from Stansted to Gdańsk can sometimes work out cheaper than a single train fare from London to Leeds!

While there are no statistics that indicate the impact of “medical tourism” on the Polish economy, Polish broadsheet, Gazeta Prawna estimated that PLN 200 million (approx. GB£ 40 million) was spent on healthcare by foreign patients visiting Poland in 2006. Evidence of the increasing number of patients from the United Kingdom and Ireland can be seen in the clinics themselves: At Art Plastica, a cosmetic surgery clinic in Szczecin, a large leather-bound book on the coffee table in the reception area contains hand-written messages of thanks from delighted patients. At the start of the book, the messages are from patients in Germany, though as you flick through it, you notice that more and more of the messages have been signed by patients from cities such as Belfast, Bournemouth and Nottingham, with some patients pledging to return for further procedures, and offering to recommend the surgeon to their friends at home.

The clinics that attract the highest number of patients from the United Kingdom and Ireland are the ones that have taken measures to make themselves more accessible to patients who may be visiting Poland for the first time. These measures include recruiting nurses and reception staff who speak fluent English, making sure that contracts and aftercare advice are available in English, and in some cases, helping patients to make travel arrangements. Some clinics, such as the Chirurgica Plastica cosmetic surgery clinic in Poznań, recruit English speaking assistants who accompany the patient throughout their stay, acting as an interpreter and providing moral support.

Decisions surrounding dental or medical treatment should never be taken lightly – whether at home or abroad, however patients considering Poland as a destination for their procedure can choose from many world-class private clinics, equipped with the latest technologies and staffed by English-speaking professionals. While the expertise will of course depend on the experience and skill of the individual dentist or surgeon, standards in Poland are generally very high with most clinics adhering to EU standards and holding internationally recognised certificates such as ISO 9001. All dental and medical professionals in Poland are subject to ongoing training and development which ensures that standards are maintained at the highest level.

It is often the case that patients considering a procedure abroad tend to be much more thorough in their research than perhaps they would be if they were having treatment in their home town. Thanks to the internet, patients can research surgeons’ qualifications, view clinics’ websites, many of which are available in several languages, and even use discussion forums and message boards to get in contact with other patients who have had treatment in their country of choice.

While a dentist or surgeon can make an initial assessment based on e-mails, telephone conversations and photographs, patients are often encouraged to travel to Poland for an initial consultation. This can usually be done over a weekend, and gives the doctor an opportunity to provide a thorough consultation. More importantly, it gives the patient an opportunity to meet the doctor in person, visit the clinic and generally feel more reassured when they return for their procedure. When you consider the significant cost savings that are made in the long run, you can definitely count this as a city break that pays for itself.

At some point, the patient has to ask the question “what happens if something goes wrong?” The answer depends of course on the individual clinic and its policies; however clinics that enjoy an outstanding reputation tend to guarantee their procedures. Again, research, research, research – be very wary of any clinic that evades any questions that you ask. Do not commit to any procedure unless you feel 100% comfortable with the surgeon and the clinic.

Want another reason why Poland is a good destination for dental or medical treatment? Spa resorts, of which there are many across the country, are an affordable alternative to hotels, and make a great place to recover from a procedure. The Arka Medical Spa in Kołobrzeg, for instance, is just along the coast from Szczecin, and offers guests the best of both worlds – a luxury hotel and spa resort which is equipped with extensive rehabilitation facilities and medical-staff on site. Villa Park in Ciechocinek and the Głęboczek Vine Resort & Spa in Brzozie, both near Bydgoszcz, are also spa hotels which similarly provide a calm environment where patients can convalesce.

While travelling to Poland may require some extra planning in terms of researching your options and arranging flights and accommodation, it is certainly worthwhile for many procedures – especially when you consider the cost savings that can be made in Poland’s world class clinics. You never know – one day, you may find yourself joining the growing numbers of patients travelling for Poland for dental and medical treatment.

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