Gateway to quicker, cheaper medical treatment abroad is now open

Patients stuck on NHS waiting lists have been offered a quick, easy and affordable way to get quality treatment abroad. A new technology-driven platform launched today brings hope for those who want to get on with their lives without having to fork out for expensive private care in the UK.

Thousands suffer in silence, living in pain and often unable to work because they are stuck on NHS waiting lists and unable to afford going private. But My Medical Gateway will give them direct access to affordable private surgery in Europe – at much lower prices than the UK and in as little as six weeks.

A record half-a-million people travelled overseas for surgery last year to escape the NHS backlog, which now stands at 7.11 million. However, many more were deterred by the complex process of checking out each hospital and comparing fees.

My Medical Gateway, a new digital marketplace, will simplify access to expert treatment by making it easier to find the right hospital at the right price for your operation. It connects patients to accredited private hospitals across the EU, allows them to compare providers on a like-for-like basis and secure a surgery date within a few weeks.

Its spokesperson Sara Gezdari said: “Our mission is to create a trusted online gateway that empowers individuals to take greater control of their healthcare journey.

“Trying to find a quality hospital abroad at the right price can be a long and difficult process but My Medical Gateway has done the work for you to make getting back to yourself fast, with no fuss. Every hospital on our site is fully licensed and regulated within the EU and the prices are on a like for like basis.

“We believe healthcare information and services should be easier to access, easier to understand, and available whenever patients need them. We’re the gateway to a new you.”

Top European hospitals can deliver the same high-quality surgery for up to 50% less than UK private providers, thanks to greater scale, higher patient volumes and lower operating costs.

The number of British patients seeking more affordable treatment abroad rose from 234,000 in 2021 to 523,000 in 2024, more than doubling in just three years, according to latest ONS figures. But finding the right hospital and surgeon can be difficult and time-consuming.

MMG offers a trusted pathway to high-class, affordable medical care abroad without all the hassle. Its partner hospitals are all fully licensed, internationally accredited and have been subject to a rigorous onboarding process. All providers must meet defined legal, clinical and ethical requirements, including EU regulatory compliance.

Initially, the platform will offer 49 different procedures – from hip and knee replacements to heart surgery – at 13 different hospitals in six countries, including for Brits planning to go on holiday to Spain, Malta, Greece and Cyprus.

My Medical Gateway was set up by a group of British businessmen committed to widening the choice of UK self-pay patients. Sir Mark Worthington, a member of MMG’s advisory board, said: “Healthcare should not be defined by geography. If a patient willing to self-pay can receive the same consultant-led treatment in an accredited European hospital within weeks and at substantially lower cost, they deserve to know about that option. MMG was founded to make those choices visible, understandable and accessible to everyone.”

Here’s how it works: Visit MMG on your mobile phone, tablet or laptop and select a treatment from the menu. You are then able to compare hospitals and fixed-price quotations. Pictures, videos, consultant details and Google reviews are provided to help you make your choice.

All packages are fully inclusive, with no hidden hospital fees. They include remote diagnosis, surgery, hospital stay, consultant care, anaesthesia, immediate post-operative care and physio where applicable and a follow-up review within 90 days. All estimated additional costs, such as flights, hotel stay and the cost of scans, are provided. There’s also access to interest-free buy now, pay later finance from Klarna, and bespoke medical travel insurance.

Once you make your choice and pay the 10% deposit, you’ll be offered three treatment dates for treatment within the next six weeks.

Ms Gezdari added: “Accessing quality treatment at the right price will no longer be complicated or uncertain. All hospitals on our site undergo a rigorous onboarding process to ensure strict professional standards. And the prices are for the whole package with no add-ons.”