Medical negligence news

Medical tourism appointment for Michelmores clinical negligence expert

A partner at Exeter based Michelmores Solicitors has been appointed to the advisory group for the major government-funded National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) study into medical tourism and the implications of inward and outward medical tourism for the NHS.

Laurence Vick is Head of the Michelmores' Clinical Negligence Team and is nationally acknowledged for representing the 300 families at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Public Inquiry and for his handling of the associated litigation on behalf of parents whose children died or suffered brain damage during paediatric cardiac surgery at Bristol.

He is also a leading legal expert on the law and jurisdictional issues surrounding medical tourism and overseas medical treatment.

The purpose of the University of York led study is to explore medical tourism which occurs when individuals pay out of pocket expenses and travel across national boundaries to receive health care treatments, such as dentistry, cosmetic surgery, elective surgery (hip or joint replacement) and fertility treatment.

The main research questions focus upon the economic implications of medical tourism for the NHS, the decision making process for individuals contemplating accessing care abroad, and the development of the medical tourism industry.

Laurence Vick said: "This is an important study into a fast growing and little understood sector. Amongst other issues, we need to understand current practices, risks and regulation, the quality and continuity of care and post-operative recovery. We need to weigh the benefits of medical tourism for both patients and providers against patient safety while establishing liability if things go wrong and this includes the role of intermediaries."

In recent years, Laurence Vick has litigated claims on behalf of British Nationals who have travelled to overseas hospitals and clinics to undergo surgical procedures, including a spinal surgery case in Saudi Arabia and the case of a former professional footballer who underwent failed knee surgery by a leading orthopaedic surgeon in the US.

Laurence Vick's team continues to handle an increasing number of cosmetic surgery claims and has issued proceedings in the English courts where cosmetic and other surgery has taken place abroad.

Laurence Vick has lectured on the subject of medical tourism in this last year to UK and overseas clinics in London and in Croatia and, as well as advising clinics on the standards they should adhere to, he regularly comments on the pitfalls of entering into contracts for surgery abroad. 

HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW PAID FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OVERSEAS?

For further information, contact Laurence Vick at laurence.vick@michelmores.com or on 01392 688688.

Created: 22/06/2011
Categories: Cosmetic surgery, Medical tourism and overseas treatment