Next big thing? Medical tourism and Poland

Growing numbers of Britons and Germans take advantage of Poland's expanding private health sector to have their teeth fixed cheaply, or to perform cosmetic surgery. 'This medical tourism has taken off in a big way in the historic city of Krakow, which is a destination of many low cost airlines. Radio Polonia's John Beauchamp reports from Krakow. This report is by John Beauchamp.

Since Poland’s entry into the European Union in 2004, there has been a growth in tourism in the country’s southern city of Kraków. Apart from stating the obvious though, the city’s medical trade has also taken advantage of the Union’s enlargement. Already a few years back there were stories in the British press that addressed the possibility of travelling within the EU to get specialist treatment without the queues and without having to spend too much well-earned cash for the privilege. Polish doctors have started to make a reputation for themselves, and with the opening of the job market, Polish nurses are making increasing appearances in hospitals and clinics in western Europe, especially in the UK. And of course with the advent of cheap flights to Kraków, specialist treatment is now only a few hours away and costs a fraction of what it would cost in Britain.

Jerzy Postawka, a tourism specialist based in Kraków, is pioneering a new programme for tourists who want to take advantage of Poland’s jewel in the crown. He told me more:

“It’s a medical travel, and basically it’s travelling to get some treatment like, for example, dentists, opticians, and also plastic surgery. I’m insuring the accommodation, they can pick it from different standards and different types of accommodation, beginning from hotels, also with some apartments, then I’m organising the treatment, I’m making the schedule of visits and everything, and I also support them with some attractions, trips, and all the other things they can do during their stay in Kraków. For example, I’ve rented an apartment, quite comfortable, 60 m2 in the city centre for one week, and then I set up the visits during the whole week, to make one tooth and then to make Botox treatment, to remove wrinkles. Basically I’m aiming at all people who need such treatment, and who want to see something new or to visit Kraków, or to do it a different way than usual. Usually these are people who are over 30 years old, and they are just looking for good treatment.”

The cost of treatment is probably the most important factor for people who would want to come to Kraków. Jerzy explains the difference in price, and what you would get in Kraków for the same amount of money paid for specialist treatment in the UK:

“Definitely it’s a way of saving money. I would say it like this, that to come here, including the cost of travel, including the cost of accommodation, including the cost of the other attractions, I mean Auschwitz, Wieliczka, and all the things you want to do, and including the treatment, the amount is the same for treatment abroad, in western Europe, so I think it’s much cheaper and for the same price you get much more, and you visit something and have some attractions.”

I put the idea to Max, a Brit currently on a short holiday in Kraków:

“It's a beautiful city, and if you can get the same treatment done for less money here then I think it’s definitely worth it.”

The opinion of Jerzy is to get western Europeans to come to Kraków, take in the atmosphere and relax while the specialists do their thing. Leave yourself in the hands of the professionals, while not paying through the nose for it.