Medical tourism trends in the United Kingdom 2000-2016

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the inbound and outbound medical tourism in the UK to determine if the UK can be considered as a net exporter of health services as well as the impact of the 2007 global economic crisis, diaspora populations and the number of UK expats on medical tourism figures. Design/methodology/approach Using microdata drawn from the International Passenger Survey (2000-2016), the authors estimate the flows, number of nights and expenditure of tourists looking for medical treatment who complete international visits of less than 12 months’ duration to and from the UK. The authors also analyse the main destinations of UK residents, the country of origin of overseas residents and the particular case of British expats. Findings The results show the upward trend of inbound and outbound patients, the strong seasonality in outbound patients, and the significant increase in the levels of expenditure of overseas residents since 2005. Poland, France, Hungary and India are the chosen countries by UK residents to be treated, whereas Irish Republic, Spain, France, Gibraltar and the United Arab Emirates are the main countries providing inbound health patients. However, the processes of migration explain full or partly the inbound and outbound flows found for some countries. Originality/value This study offers a critical insight into inbound and outbound medical flows, demonstrating both the scope for and limitations to market development in this area.

Medical Tourism Markets: Models of Sustainability. The Case of Spain and The Costa del Sol (Malaga)

“…The ageing population is an excellent opportunity to increase medical tourism (e.g., 'Geriatric Tourism' as a new and separate segment from medical or wellness tourism)' owing to the fact that older people require more expensive surgeries, sophisticated medical technology, and intensive rehabilitation services. In addition, the presence of an older expatriate population in certain regions will increase even more the possibilities of the development of medical tourism [4].…”

“…Data from the IPS (International Passenger Survey) has underscored the importance of so-called 'ex-pat' medical tourism, with substantial numbers of those travelling to the UK for treatment actually being UK passport holders who reside elsewhere [3]. Similarly, the importance of migrants from the UK to Spain is crucial for many Spanish providers, especially those in Andalusia [4]. This presents two related challenges for those providers in such a region.…”

“…Apart from the conditions of the province of Malaga, which were mentioned earlier (e.g., climate, accessibility, infrastructure, technology, accreditations of quality, culture, gastronomy, leisure activities, accommodation, prices, a friendly environment, and legislation, etc. ), many British expats come to Malaga in order to avoid long waiting lists in their National Health Service (NHS), and to obtain good service quality, geographical proximity, and completive prices [4]. In contrast, Russians and Arabs visit Malaga mainly due to the lack of availability of health-care services and technological advances in their countries of origin.…”

“…In contrast, Russians and Arabs visit Malaga mainly due to the lack of availability of health-care services and technological advances in their countries of origin. In other cases, the existence of agreements between some European countries (e.g., Scandinavian countries) and some local authorities (e.g., with the town of Benalmadena) has promoted the constant and regular flow of international patients (mainly the elderly, seeking rehabilitation services after traumatology surgery) to the province of in the last few years [4].…”

“…While price differentials play an important role in attracting any medical tourist to any destination, the linkage between the UK and Spain is very different from that between the UK and Poland. Here, the flow of medical travelers reflects the historic patterns of tourism underpinned by the close historical, economic and political ties between Spain and the UK [4].…”