Britons go abroad for healthcare

Cosmetic surgery can be cheaper abroad

Britons are increasingly going abroad for cosmetic surgery, medical treatments and alternative therapies a survey suggests.

Last year, Britons spent £60m on treatment overseas.

Recuperating abroad following an operation or treatment is also becoming more common, as are visits to overseas health farms and beauty spas.

Market research company Mintel said the money spent by Britons going abroad for treatments will increase 150% by 2011.

Lower prices

A quarter of Britons would seriously consider recuperating abroad after an operation and one in eight would go overseas for surgery, the survey suggested.

The main reason given by Britons for going abroad for treatment was lower prices.

"This sector (medical tourism) is a thriving industry as a growing number of well-off baby boomers take their health needs into their own hands and pursue the elixir of eternal youth," Richard Cope, senior Mintel analyst said.

As for alternative therapies and keep-fit, Britons seem to be increasingly looking overseas for a better deal.

Last year, Britons spent about £25m on going abroad for yoga holidays, holistic healing, health farms beauty treatments and spa visits, Mintel said.