International

London teacher’s NHS struggle sparks costly medical trip to Hungary

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 12:20AM UTC

After a brain haemorrhage and unsatisfactory NHS care, Anna Chithrakala’s family travelled 1,100 miles to Hungary for intensive rehabilitation, highlighting growing concerns about NHS wait times, patient care, and the rising trend of seeking affordable treatment overseas.

A London teacher's harrowing journey for medical treatment highlights pressing concerns about the NHS and the emerging trend of travelling abroad for healthcare. Anna Chithrakala, a 45-year-old English teacher and palliative carer, was left unable to walk or speak after a sudden brain haemorrhage. Following a difficult experience within the NHS, her family undertook a 1,100-mile drive to Hungary to access what they describe as superior rehabilitation services.

Anna collapsed during a walk with a friend and her care patient in December 2022. After emergency treatment, she underwent major surgery that left her in a critical state. Following her discharge to University Hospital Lewisham, where she alleges she faced inadequate care and distressing ward conditions, her family sought alternatives. Anna's mother, Piroska Markus, felt compelled to act, eventually discovering a promising rehabilitation programme in Hungary.

This decision is underpinned by a growing trend where Britons are exploring medical options beyond their borders, particularly when faced with long wait times and dissatisfaction with NHS services. The NHS, grappling with funding shortages and staffing issues, often has patients waiting months for specialist treatments. Consequently, private healthcare options can become prohibitively expensive, pushing families towards overseas alternatives that offer competitive pricing.

In Hungary, Anna is enrolled in an intensive rehabilitation programme at the National Medical Rehabilitation Centre Budakeszi. Here, she receives a breadth of therapies—including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and counselling—at a cost far lower than similar private options in the UK. The cost of £500 per week is a fraction of what UK private providers typically charge, which can exceed £5,000 for comprehensive rehabilitation.

While the allure of international treatment can be compelling, it’s essential for patients to consider the potential risks involved. The NHS guides prospective medical travellers to conduct thorough research and consult their GP before embarking on such journeys. They also emphasise the importance of understanding the healthcare system in the destination country and ensuring appropriate insurance coverage. These precautions can mitigate the risks of complications or inadequate post-treatment support.

The experience shared by Anna and her family reflects growing dissatisfaction with NHS services, where patients like Anna have reported feelings of neglect. The negative conditions she faced at Lewisham—characterised by staff attitudes and inadequate facilities—are viewed critically, generating debate about the state of NHS patient care. A spokesperson for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust expressed concern over Anna’s experience, urging them to contact the hospital for a formal investigation.

For Anna, her time in Hungary has been transformative. She spoke positively about the atmosphere in the rehabilitation hospital, expressing gratitude for the supportive and motivated environment. “I love it here,” she stated, highlighting that the focus is on active participation in recovery rather than pessimism—which she felt characterised her experience in the UK.

With her family's funds running low, they have turned to crowdfunding, demonstrating the financial burden associated with pursuing care abroad. Anna’s case invites broader discussions around the sustainability of the NHS and the potential for systemic reforms to mitigate the need for patients to seek healthcare options beyond the UK.

As the debate continues over the effectiveness and accessibility of domestic healthcare, Anna Chithrakala's story stands as a poignant reminder of the need for reform and the potential benefits of international medical travel. The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, and with it, patients may increasingly find that the best care may sometimes lie beyond their borders.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/nhs-private-treatment-overseas-hungary-b2754446.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/travelling-abroad-for-medical-treatment - This NHS resource provides comprehensive guidance for UK residents considering medical treatment abroad. It covers potential risks, including exposure to infections and blood-borne viruses, and emphasizes the importance of thorough research and adequate insurance. The article also discusses pre-travel advice, such as consulting with a GP and ensuring fitness to fly, as well as post-treatment considerations like aftercare and possible complications. It underscores the necessity of understanding the healthcare system in the destination country and the legal aspects of undergoing treatment abroad.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hungary/health - The UK government's travel advice for Hungary outlines essential health considerations for travelers. It advises on obtaining appropriate travel insurance, understanding the healthcare system, and being aware of emergency medical numbers. The page also provides information on vaccine recommendations, health risks, and the legal status of certain medications in Hungary. Additionally, it highlights the importance of carrying a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/treatment-abroad-checklist/ - This NHS checklist offers guidance for UK residents considering medical treatment abroad. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks involved, including potential complications and aftercare coordination. The article advises consulting with a GP for a second opinion, conducting thorough research on the treatment provider, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage. It also discusses the financial aspects, such as the potential costs and the need for prior authorization from the NHS for planned treatments in Europe.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/going-abroad-for-medical-treatment/ - This NHS page provides essential information for UK residents considering medical treatment abroad. It outlines the procedures for accessing NHS-funded healthcare in European countries through the S2 funding route and the EU directive route. The article emphasizes the importance of prior authorization from NHS England before receiving treatment and advises on the necessity of comprehensive travel insurance. It also highlights the need for thorough research and understanding of the healthcare system in the destination country.
https://111.wales.nhs.uk/Travelhealth/Hungary/ - This NHS 111 Wales resource offers travel health advice for those visiting Hungary. It provides emergency medical numbers, details on health services and costs, and information on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The page advises travelers to ensure they are treated by healthcare providers contracted with the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund and cautions against private healthcare arrangements made through hotels or travel representatives, as these costs are non-refundable.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/ - This NHS page outlines the considerations for UK residents planning to receive medical treatment abroad. It discusses the limitations of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for planned treatments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive travel insurance. The article provides information on the S2 funding route and the EU directive route for accessing NHS-funded healthcare in European countries and advises on the importance of thorough research and understanding of the healthcare system in the destination country.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative references events in December 2022 and ongoing healthcare trends, suggesting it is recent but not necessarily breaking news.

Quotes check

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative includes quotes from Anna Chithrakala, but their earliest known source could not be verified online.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from The Independent, a well-known and generally reliable publication.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about NHS funding issues and medical travel are plausible and align with broader discussions about healthcare challenges in the UK.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be generally reliable, coming from a reputable source and addressing plausible healthcare concerns. However, the quotes could not be verified as original.

NHS
Healthcare abroad
Medical travel
Rehabilitation
Health funding