Egg Freezing & IVF in the United Kingdom

The UK enjoys the #5 spot in the 2020-2021 Medical Tourism Index. As one of the leading destinations for medical tourism, the UK is most known for its outstanding National Health Service, medical research, and pioneering technology. Although the NHS only serves UK residents, medical tourists can turn to private healthcare centres known for spearheading treatments and technologies, superior services, and renowned medical specialists.

In the field of medicine, the UK is where the structure of the DNA was first discovered and where a great number of vaccines were developed. Medical research in British universities has led to many advancements in worldwide healthcare. Among the top centres that cater to medical tourists are The Harley Street Clinic, London and Nuffield Health Hospitals. Medical tourist facilities are accredited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and its equivalent regulation groups in other parts of the UK. Medical standards and practices are monitored by many regulation groups such as the General Medical Council (GMC).

To enter the UK as a medical tourist, you must apply for a visa for medical treatment that requires you to submit your local medical diagnosis, an invitation letter from the UK medical facility that details your treatment plans, and proof that you can fund your medical and other expenses during your stay.

As a tourist destination, the UK has historic towns and castles alongside sites of natural beauty like the Cotswolds, the Lake District, and Britain’s many coastal paths and beaches. The top three destinations for medical travellers are London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Major hospitals are within proximity to several accommodation options.

Get to know the polite British culture

Exercise good manners as it is highly valued in the UK. Politely address your health providers as "Doctor" or Nurse." Many things are frowned upon in the UK such as resting your elbows on the table, acting too familiar, asking personal questions, staring at people, talking very loudly, and interrupting conversations. When communicating, the British would avoid being direct and use terms such as "perhaps" and "possibly" to maintain peace and they tend to conceal the depth of their emotions.

The country is constantly filled with tourists so pickpocketing and scamming are common. Do not trust people who come out of nowhere to help you with your luggage and always check your change. Stay on guard because terrorism remains at high risk in the UK. Always remember that the British drive on the left side of the road and be careful before crossing the street.

To get around, trams, the metro system, and buses are the top choices, depending on the city you are in. The price of a tram ticket in Manchester depends on the zone you travel to. Tram prices cost almost the same as bus prices. There are 40 airports around the country including domestic airports. The busiest airports are London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester Airport. Over 200 train stations are accessible for people with wheelchairs.

Since the first ‘test-tube baby’—Louise Brown—was born in the UK in 1974, IVF has become widely accepted. Egg freezing has been growing in popularity. Studies show that the number of egg-freezing cycles has more than doubled in the past five years.

English is the main language spoken while the regional languages are Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic and Welsh. Other most spoken languages are Polish, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and French.