The surgery has recently been receiving lots of requests from patients who have travelled overseas for healthcare and upon their return to the UK, want aftercare treatment to be provided by the NHS. This is particularly true for bariatric surgery, although other types of healthcare are prevalent too.
Herts and West Essex ICB have clearly defined clinical pathways to support patients who are overweight or obese and are seeking to improve their health with weight loss. The pathways include specialist dietary advice and support programmes at ranging levels based on the individual patient needs. Patients who have completed Herts and West Essex ICB weight management pathways without any success may be eligible for NHS funded bariatric surgery. This surgery is provided at a specialist bariatric NHS Provider.
Surgical procedures such as Bariatric surgery will require a package of long term follow up monitoring and initially a requirement to be followed up regularly by the bariatric specialist provider for a minimum of two years.
Aftercare for patients who have self-funded bariatric surgery is not routinely commissioned by Herts and West Essex ICB within the NHS locally and is not available from The Maples Health Centre.
Post-operative support, requires specialist input that may be available from the provider that undertook the surgery or via an alternative self-funded route. Specialist NHS services provide this aftercare for patients who have undergone their bariatric surgery within the NHS.
If you had your bariatric surgery abroad:
Government advice, NHS advice and some patient support groups’ advice on accessing treatment abroad, all advise that patients must be clear about how aftercare will be coordinated and provided after their surgery, and that patients may be responsible for costs of the aftercare and of possible return trips associated with aftercare. Patients who have paid for bariatric surgery abroad have a responsibility to review and plan for all points in the recommended Treatment Abroad checklist (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/treatment-abroad-checklist/) and can choose to buy a standalone package of post-operative care through a UK independent sector provider, or other non-UK provider.
It is important to understand how medical treatment abroad works and what risks are involved. If you do not follow correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You can find more information online here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/going-abroad-for-medical-treatment/
Health Travellers should speak directly to the health professional undertaking the planned treatment before travel and check their qualifications and references independently. Please note that:
- Medical advice from a travel agent or administrator is unacceptable.
- Clear written information should be provided regarding the procedure undertaken and any follow up care.
- Agree how all medical notes will be exchanged and transferred.
Please be reassured that NHS emergency services are available should any emergency treatment be required as a result of any issues arising from bariatric surgery or other healthcare sought from overseas.
Eligibility for Aftercare
Whatever treatment you have had overseas or in the private sector, you will always be entitled for emergency care under the NHS, and you will still be able to have standard health care provided just like anybody else, but you may not be able to access any NHS funded specialist aftercare. If anything goes wrong, you are also unlikely to be able to claim on your travel insurance unless the purpose of your visit was declared prior to travel. You will need to check with your individual insurance provider to confirm what financial renumeration is available to you.
Patients will be eligible for NHS aftercare when surgery or a procedure abroad has been approved and funded by the NHS beforehand.
Patients who have had surgery as a private patient and would have been entitled to the same treatment on the NHS – Eligibility for aftercare would be dependent if the aftercare requested is same as available on the NHS.
Patients who have had surgery or procedure as a private patient and would not have been entitled to the same treatment on the NHS, will not be eligible for any NHS aftercare. Aftercare should have been purchased as a full package of care including pre-op and aftercare.
Note: Health care professionals should always be consulted where there are any health concerns