A 59-year-old woman, Nicky Hatton, shared her experience of traveling to Lithuania for a hip replacement due to prolonged NHS waiting times that caused her excruciating pain akin to having broken glass in her hip. Nicky had been suffering from osteoarthritis for three years before reaching a point where she could no longer walk, as confirmed by an X-ray showing her hip was deteriorated to a “bone on bone” condition in September. Despite being advised to use a walking aid and enduring four more months of discomfort, she was informed that she would have to wait an additional year before receiving the necessary operation through the NHS.
Faced with unbearable pain and long wait times, Nicky, a mother of two and a support officer for a homeless charity, made the difficult decision to seek treatment abroad. She expressed feeling compelled to explore overseas options due to the increasing trend of Britons seeking medical care outside the UK. After discovering the high cost of private healthcare in the UK, estimated between £20,000 and £25,000, Nicky found a clinic named Nord Orthopaedics through a Facebook group offering the same procedure for £8,600.
In April of this year, Nicky traveled to Kaunas, Lithuania, the country’s second-largest city, for the hip replacement surgery. Following the successful operation, she highlighted a remarkable improvement in her mobility and overall well-being, emphasizing the significant impact the procedure had on her quality of life. Nicky described the pain before the surgery as unbearable, likening it to the sensation of broken glass in her hip and expressing how the constant discomfort had taken a toll on her physical and mental health.
Recent data revealed a concerning rise in the NHS elective waiting list in England, reaching 7.3 million appointments, signaling potential challenges in managing patient demand and healthcare services. Despite some progress made in reducing waiting times over the past two years, the latest figures suggested a stagnation in improvement. The strain on the healthcare system was further exacerbated by environmental factors, with officials noting that heatwaves were now posing a significant burden on the NHS comparable to winter pressures.
Moreover, statistics indicated a growing trend of UK residents seeking medical treatment overseas, with an estimated 523,000 individuals traveling abroad for healthcare in 2024, reflecting a steady increase from previous years. Concurrently, private health hospital admissions in the UK surged to a record high for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with approximately 953,000 Britons opting for private care services, as reported by the Private Healthcare Information Network.
Nicky’s decision to seek treatment abroad underscored the challenges faced by individuals navigating the healthcare system, citing concerns about insufficient resources, staffing, and funding within NHS hospitals. She emphasized the need for enhanced infrastructure and support to ensure timely and comprehensive care for all patients. Despite government efforts to address waiting times and improve access to healthcare services, the growing demand for private medical insurance and overseas treatments highlighted ongoing gaps in the healthcare system.
In response to the escalating healthcare challenges, government officials highlighted the progress in trauma and orthopedic services, with data showing that 60% of patients were seen within 18 weeks for procedures like hip replacements. While acknowledging the need for continued improvement, the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated its commitment to providing safe, timely, and free healthcare services through increased funding and technological advancements.