During travel

On arrival, travellers should ask to be shown round the clinic or hospital where the treatment is due to take place. They should be satisfied with cleanliness, hygiene and safety standards.

Travellers should be satisfied that staff are appropriately educated, trained and experienced, and that the organisation has adequate indemnity insurance [8].

If the traveller has any concerns, they should not proceed with the treatment.

A pre-procedure medical consultation should take place, with the opportunity to meet former patients afterwards.

Prior to any procedure, the traveller should check that appropriate medication, including pain relief, has been prescribed.

Fitness to fly post-procedure should be established by the traveller’s doctor or dentist. Potential risks of flying after surgery, especially in regard to long flights and thrombosis, should be considered and any appropriate prophylaxis prescribed. There may be issues regarding airline carriage of a recuperating traveller.

Travellers should ensure they have copies of all overseas medical records, including x-rays and scans, before departure [5].

Travellers should carefully consider who will care for them during their journey and once they have returned home.