A woman shared her story of traveling to Lithuania for a hip replacement due to extended NHS waiting lists causing severe pain. Nicky Hatton, aged 59, had been dealing with osteoarthritis for three years, reaching a point where walking became impossible last September when an X-ray revealed her hip condition as “bone on bone.” Despite being advised to use a walking aid and waiting an additional four months, she was informed that she would have to wait at least another year for the surgery within the NHS.
Facing the prospect of a prolonged wait, Nicky, a mother of two, felt compelled to seek treatment abroad, reflecting a growing trend of Brits seeking medical care overseas. The excruciating pain she endured was likened to having broken glass in her hip, leading her to rely heavily on pain medication and experiencing significant mobility limitations, which took a toll on her physical and mental well-being.
With NHS waiting lists steadily increasing, Nicky, who works as a support officer for a homeless charity and also cares for her disabled son full-time, explored private healthcare options. In the UK, she was quoted a price range of £20,000 to £25,000 for the procedure, prompting her to discover Nord Orthopaedics in Lithuania through a Facebook group, offering the same service for £8,600.
In April of this year, Nicky underwent the hip replacement surgery in Kaunas, Lithuania, the second largest city in the country, and expressed immense satisfaction with the results. She described the transformative impact of the operation, enabling her to resume daily activities without the intense pain she once endured. Nicky highlighted the inadequacies within the NHS, attributing the need for alternative healthcare options to the shortage of medical staff and resources.
Additionally, recent data revealed a surge in UK residents opting for private healthcare, with employer-funded private medical insurance contributing significantly to this increase. The number of private hospital admissions in the UK reached a record high for the fourth consecutive year in 2025. The government emphasized efforts to address the waiting list issue, stating that trauma and orthopaedics services have seen improvements in patient waiting times.
While acknowledging the ongoing challenges, the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated the commitment to providing timely and free healthcare services through increased funding and technological advancements. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the focus remains on ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare for all individuals.
