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| TreatmentAbroad.com has launched the first medical tourism code of practice for healthcare providers and medical tourism agencies. The Code of Practice for Medical Tourism aims to encourage best practice in medical tourism through a commitment by agencies and providers to a voluntary code of practice. The Code will help inform the choices of the 100,000 UK patients and medical tourists worldwide, who travel abroad for treatment every year. |
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| The Code is an opportunity for medical tourism providers to reassure patients considering overseas treatment that they are adopting best practice. It has been launched at a time when more people than ever are having treatment abroad and reporting highly positive experiences. |
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| A new study of 650 medical tourists, published by Treatment Abroad and conducted by European Research Specialists, reveals that 96 per cent of patients who have had overseas treatment would return to the same treatment provider. Keith Pollard, Managing Director of Treatment Abroad, said: |
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| "These results are good news for providers and patients. There is no doubt that the medical tourism industry will continue to grow and to help patients make the right choice we have launched the Code of Practice for Medical Tourism . The Code will recognise and promote best practice within the international private healthcare arena and will provide reassurance to patients about the services on offer." |
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| Healthcare providers who sign up to the Code will be identified as adopting a "best practice for medical tourism" and will be recognised on www.treatmentabroad.com . In addition providers who are approved will be able to display the Treatment Abroad accreditation mark on their website and patients will be able to access accreditation details online. |
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| Keith Pollard continues, "We have developed the Code in consultation with our clients and external specialists and I am confident that it will provide benefits for healthcare providers and patients. This is a positive step for the industry and offers a chance for providers to demonstrate their commitment to best practice in dealing with patients from overseas". |
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| In order to receive accreditation, providers will be asked to demonstrate best practice in a number of areas covering provision of information, the patient experience and contractual terms, conditions and guarantees. The application is approved by an independent consultant. |
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| Keith Pollard concludes: "The research we have published shows that patients are incredibly happy with the standard of their treatment and the Code offers providers a way to formalise this." |
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| The research undertaken by Treatment Abroad is the first to examine the motivations and experiences of UK residents who travel abroad for a range of medical treatment and is resoundingly positive. It concludes that the top reason for people seeking treatment overseas, stated by 83 per cent, is to save money. Spending on treatments varies from less then £1,000 (approx 1,300 Euro) to over £10,000 (13,000 Euro). |
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| Nearly 10 per cent of patients estimated that they had saved as much as £10,000 by travelling abroad. Patient satisfaction levels are high and 97 per cent of patients said they would be willing to travel abroad for treatment again. In addition, 85 per cent of patients said they were fully satisfied with the standards of communication and follow-up received from the provider. In addition to being motivated by cost savings, 56 per cent of elective surgery patients stated that they were worried about the risk of infections (such as MRSA) in the UK and that this had influenced their decision to travel abroad. |
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| The research found that around 60 per cent of medical tourists are female and the majority are aged between 40-59 (56.5 per cent). |
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| Further information about the research is available at: |
| www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/medical-tourist-research . |
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| And the Code of Practice for Medical Tourism at: |
| http://www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/code-of-practice . |
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| Treatment Abroad clients will be the first to be invited to participate in the accreditation process. |
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| WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ACCREDITATION FOR YOUR ORGANISATION? |
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| Contact Nick Darby , Sales Manager, Treatment Abroad, on +44 1442 817819 or email nickdarby@privatehealth.co.uk and we'll work out a package of opportunities that will deliver the best results for your healthcare business. |
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| Intuition Communication Ltd |
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| internet expertise in the healthcare sector |
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| Call 01442 817817 for more information about Treatment Abroad |
