Soaring numbers of people are travelling abroad for treatment to beat NHS waiting lists , experts say . At least 65,000 patients are now going overseas for surgery and other procedures each year – twice as many as a decade ago . One of the most popular destinations is Poland , for cataract treatment , as well as Spain , where couples are going for IVF . Medical professionals also say young women are increasingly travelling to countries such as Thailand and Turkey for cheap cosmetic surgery , including tummy tucks and breast implants . Many are combining the trip with a holiday , so they can recover in the sun while avoiding awkward questions back home . The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics estimate that 65,000 patients went abroad for treatment in 2013 , paying a combined £129.3million . A decade ago , the figure was around 32,000 a year . The head of one firm , which arranges overseas treatment , said there was a growing demand for those wanting cataract surgery , hip and knee replacements and IVF . All of these procedures are deemed ‘ non-urgent ’ on the NHS and so have long waiting times or are no longer offered at all . Ugur Samut , chief executive of Medigo , said the number of queries for all types of treatment had trebled in the past six months . ‘ We believe demand has increased recently due to longer waiting lists and postcode lotteries for some procedures on the NHS. ’ Tuck on the cheap : Medical professionals say young women are increasingly travelling to countries such as Thailand and Turkey for cheap cosmetic surgery , including tummy tucks and breast implants . He said for his patients , Poland was the most popular destination , with many travelling there for cataract surgery . Hungary is the second most common , mainly for dental procedures which are expensive in England and where patients have to pay even for NHS treatment . Spain is popular for couples seeking IVF , Thailand for laser eye surgery and Turkey for liposuction , the removal of body fat . Barry Wilson , 60 , from Birmingham , went to a private clinic in Poland last July for cataract surgery after being told he would have to wait eight months on the NHS . The entire trip including flights , hotels and the treatment cost less than £1,000 . He said : ‘ It ’ s very daunting to travel to another country for surgery . My surgeon put me at ease at my consultation . I would return again , with no worries. ’ But Keith Pollard of website Treatment Abroad , which offers advice to patients going overseas , said the rise was mainly driven by adults wanting cosmetic surgery . He said : ‘ One reason is the increase in disposable income . People are prepared to spend more on cosmetic surgery . ‘ The other is that it has become more socially acceptable to travel abroad for treatment. ’ Nonetheless , hospital waiting lists in England are at a six-year high , with almost 12,000 patients facing delays of at least six months for routine operations . The figures for treatment abroad are from the ONS ’ s annual International Passenger Survey , in which 250,000 people from England and Wales are interviewed .
Thousands travel abroad for cheaper surgeries to beat waiting lists . At least 65,000 per year are now going overseas for operations . Many travel to Poland for cataract treatment , and Spain for IVF . Thailand and Turkey are popular destinations for cosmetic surgery .