Longevita has launched a new petition urging the UK Government to introduce regulations for outbound medical tourism.
In a bid to encourage legislation in the fast-growing, but largely unregulated medical tourism industry, Longevita has introduced the petition, titled “Regulate outbound medical tourism: mandatory accreditation, insurance, aftercare.”
The petition calls for clear legal standards governing overseas medical providers advertising to UK patients. Longevita proposes mandatory clinic accreditation, compulsory complication insurance, UK-based aftercare, and a national database to monitor clinical outcomes.
Why is stricter regulation needed?
According to Longevita, in 2024 more than half a million British patients left the UK for healthcare overseas. However, many of these procedures resulted in post-operative complications that required NHS intervention.
In March 2025, a retrospective cross-sectional review of electronic records from a London hospital, across 17 months, analysed data from patients who presented with cosmetic procedure complications. The review found that 96% of these patients had undergone their procedure abroad.
Many patients choose to travel abroad for more affordable cosmetic surgery; however, due to the lack of regulation, there is a growing risk surrounding unregulated practitioners and products.
What are the policy proposals?
Establishment of a UK Medical Tourism Accreditation Association (UKMTAA)
The UKMTAA would be an independent accreditation body that would only certify overseas providers with verifiable clinical governance, hygiene protocols, professional licensing, and transparent complication rates.
Introduction of mandatory medical tourism insurance
Travelling abroad for elective procedures would be contingent upon obtaining medical tourism insurance, ensuring patients are financially and medically protected in the case of any complications.
Provision of aftercare within the UK
Patients undergoing surgery abroad would have access to post-operative care through licensed UK-based providers.
Transparency and accountability in marketing practices
All overseas clinics, facilitators, and intermediaries marketing to UK audiences would be required to display the UKMTAA seal of approval - including its logo and registration number - on their marketing materials.
“Medical tourism is here to stay, but regulation must catch up,” said Longevita’s founder and CEO, Kagan Seymenoglu. “We’re calling for accredited providers, insured procedures, and proper aftercare to protect both patients and the NHS.”
“All clinics advertising to UK patients should meet consistent, verifiable safety standards. This is about ensuring patient safety, transparency, and accountability across borders.”
Support the petition
Alongside the risk to patient safety and growing burden on the NHS, cosmetic complications from procedures abroad directly impact aesthetic practitioners, says Longevita.
The lack of regulation means that patients undergo procedures without health insurance, crucial information about the surgeries, and a lack of post-procedure care.
These factors make diagnosing and treating complications difficult, increasing clinical uncertainty and patient risk.
Support the cause by signing the petition here
