As more patients travel abroad for surgery and complications continue to present in Irish hospitals, a new MyHealth RCSI episode offering clear guidance informed by lived experience and surgeon expertise is now live.

The episode aims to help people understand and manage the greater risk involved in having an operation in another country.

It highlights essential medical safeguards, outlines potential risks, including post-operative travel complications, and sets out the critical steps patients should take before booking treatment abroad.

Bringing together expert clinical insight and first-hand patient experiences, the episode examines the reality behind the surge in patients choosing to travel abroad for surgical treatment.

From personal stories to professional perspectives, the conversation takes an honest look at the factors that influence these choices and the real-world implications these decisions can have for patients’ health and recovery.

Professor Deborah McNamara, RCSI President and Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital, said: “By bringing together clinical expertise and real-world patient experiences, we want to ensure the public has the honest, evidence-based information they need to navigate the complexities of travelling abroad for surgery and, above all, protect their long-term health.”

Every surgery carries risk, and these risks are more challenging to manage when you’re having an operation in another country. That’s why careful research, planning and preparation is so important,” added Professor McNamara.

The panellists for this episode are:

• Dr Sumi Dunne, General Practitioner and Clinical Lecturer, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Professor Deborah McNamara, President RCSI and Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
• Professor Helen Heneghan, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin
• Mr Jamie Martin-Smith, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
• Tracy Byrne, patient with a lived experience of medical travel
• Alan Keogh, patient with a lived experience of medical travel

You can watch the ‘Travelling for surgery abroad’ episode below. It is also available as a podcast on Spotify and Apple.

RCSI’s guidance for patients travelling abroad for surgery can be found here.

Running since 2017, MyHealth RCSI,  supported by PRESIDIO, connects expert knowledge with everyday life. The free programme of community events, expert talks and on-demand content, shares trusted health information for all.

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