Medical tourism to thrive as foreign doctors leave

A decision by the UK not to allow work permit-free visas for non-EU doctors is likely to cause many frustrated patients to seek treatment abroad.

Despite lengthy NHS waiting lists, hospitals will soon find themselves with fewer doctors, and many Indian medics have already been in touch with corporate hospitals back in their home country in order to secure positions, Indiatimes reports.

According to the site, hospitals in the state of Gujarat have been "flooded" with queries about possible jobs and the nation's thriving medical community will be more than happy to accommodate expatriate doctors.

Dr Darshan Desai, medical superintendent at India's Bhailal Amin General Hospital, told Indiatimes: "Not only is the healthcare sector expanding in Gujarat, the experience of these doctors will come in handy to attract more medical tourism to the state.

"In fact, we expect more medical tourism from UK once there is a shortage of 15,000 doctors there because of the court order."

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