Latest news with #travelrisks
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
TikTok stars help govt highlight risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures
Influential TikTok stars are to help the government highlight the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures. A new campaign will explain how hair transplants and dental treatments can go wrong overseas, so Britons can make "more informed choices before they go under the knife". Videos featuring well-known medical influencers such as Midwife Marley and Doc Tally are planned, with clips urging patients to speak to British doctors first. Other top tips include avoiding package holidays that include procedures, checking a surgeon's credentials and how their clinic is regulated, and understanding aftercare. These influencers have tens of thousands of followers, and may manage to reach those who are less likely to see government warnings in newspapers and on TV. It forms part of wider efforts to crack down on "cowboy" cosmetic procedures, amid warnings that medical complications can be life-changing or even fatal. Last month, Sky's spoke to one woman after developing botulism that was linked to an unlicenced anti-wrinkle injection. The disease is so rare that many doctors have never seen it in their entire careers - with slurred speech and breathing problems among the common symptoms. Meanwhile, after contracting sepsis from a liquid Brazilian butt lift procedure carried out by a non-medical practitioner here in the UK. At one point, Louise Taylor was told that her leg may need to be amputated to save her life. Read more UK news: The government hopes teaming up with TikTok stars - and campaigns like it - will tackle medical tourism and ensure the NHS isn't footing the bill when things go wrong. Health minister Karin Smyth said: "Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards. "Often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers - some of whom have never been to the practice in question." Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said travelling overseas for treatment must not be done lightly, adding: "Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow."
Sky News
4 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
TikTok stars help govt highlight risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures
Influential TikTok stars are to help the government highlight the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures. A new campaign will explain how hair transplants and dental treatments can go wrong overseas, so Britons can make "more informed choices before they go under the knife". Videos featuring well-known medical influencers such as Midwife Marley and Doc Tally are planned, with clips urging patients to speak to British doctors first. Other top tips include avoiding package holidays that include procedures, checking a surgeon's credentials and how their clinic is regulated, and understanding aftercare. These influencers have tens of thousands of followers, and may manage to reach those who are less likely to see government warnings in newspapers and on TV. It forms part of wider efforts to crack down on "cowboy" cosmetic procedures, amid warnings that medical complications can be life-changing or even fatal. Last month, Sky's Katie Barnfield spoke to one woman who was left unable to swallow after developing botulism that was linked to an unlicenced anti-wrinkle injection. 1:30 The disease is so rare that many doctors have never seen it in their entire careers - with slurred speech and breathing problems among the common symptoms. Meanwhile, one woman nearly died after contracting sepsis from a liquid Brazilian butt lift procedure carried out by a non-medical practitioner here in the UK. At one point, Louise Taylor was told that her leg may need to be amputated to save her life. 2:01 The government hopes teaming up with TikTok stars - and campaigns like it - will tackle medical tourism and ensure the NHS isn't footing the bill when things go wrong. Health minister Karin Smyth said: "Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards. "Often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers - some of whom have never been to the practice in question." Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said travelling overseas for treatment must not be done lightly, adding: "Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Government turns to TikTokers to advise on cosmetic surgery abroad
The government is partnering with TikTok influencers to warn people about the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures. There's growing concern over the rise in Britons seeking overseas treatments such as hair implants and dental work, often lured by lower costs and shorter waiting times. Medical content creators will urge viewers to talk to a UK doctor first, take out travel insurance and avoid package holidays that include procedures. The move is part of a wider government campaign to curb so-called medical tourism, as well as tighten regulations for cosmetic practitioners in England. When it comes to cosmetic surgery abroad, the lowest price can come at the highest cost, the campaign warns. It aims to raise awareness of the risks, protect patients and avoid the NHS paying to fix botched procedures. Medical influencers like Doc Tally and Midwife Marley - who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively - will produce videos offering guidance on how to make trips as safe as possible. They will include a checklist to consider before booking a procedure. Health minister Karin Smyth warned that "too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards." She said the partnership with TikTok would help people "make safer and more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be." Things to check before you book: Do thorough research about the procedure Check the clinic's regulation and the surgeon's credentials Know the full cost and understand the aftercare Ask the vital question - if it goes wrong, who will fix it? When cosmetic procedures go wrong, the consequences can be devastating for patients. Two years ago, Leah Mattson travelled to İzmir in Turkey to have gastric sleeve surgery. While the surgery was initially successful and helped her lose weight, last year the 27-year-old returned to the same company to remove excess skin. This time, the procedure left her with a lopsided belly button, deep scarring on her arms and stomach area that she says left her feeling worse. After seeing the results of her surgery, Leah said she burst into tears. "I just wanted to cry and I feel like I actually disliked my body more than when I was overweight." Leah found the clinic on social media and was encouraged by other people's positive experiences with similar surgeries. "On apps like Instagram and TikTok, you search for weight-loss surgery and see the majority of people go to Turkey," she explained. "I was thinking well all these people have had great experiences so I'm going to go. "I just trusted them because I thought well if they're okay then I'll be okay and I didn't really pay much attention to the horror stories," she added. "I didn't think it would ever happen to me." Leah now documents her experience on social media, using her platform to inform others about the risks involved in similar procedures. The clinic which performed Leah's surgery in Turkey could not be reached for comment, but they previously issued a statement saying "plastic surgery isn't straight-forward and unfortunately some health issues or complications cannot be anticipated". Experts are urging people to think beyond the slick brochures and marketing, and to consider clinical standards, complication risks, and language barriers. The Foreign Office will also provide more detailed travel advice for those considering going overseas for such procedures. Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said: "If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved." "We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care." "Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow." Ali Law, TikTok's UK public policy lead, said the platform was "committed" to helping users find "information from trusted sources when searching for topics related to physical and mental health." Earlier this month, ministers outlined plans to reduce unsafe cosmetic treatments in England. Under the new rules, only "suitably qualified" and regulated health workers will be allowed to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts. Clinics offering lower-risk procedures such as Botox and fillers will need a licence, and age limits will be introduced to stop children from copying dangerous beauty trends seen on social media. More on this story Seven UK patients died after Turkey weight loss surgery 'I paid £6k to feel worse than I did before surgery' Woman's three-year food nightmare after botched op
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Government turns to TikTokers to advise on cosmetic surgery abroad
The government is partnering with TikTok influencers to warn people about the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic growing concern over the rise in Britons seeking overseas treatments such as hair implants and dental work, often lured by lower costs and shorter waiting content creators will urge viewers to talk to a UK doctor first, take out travel insurance and avoid package holidays that include move is part of a wider government campaign to curb so-called medical tourism, as well as tighten regulations for cosmetic practitioners in England. When it comes to cosmetic surgery abroad, the lowest price can come at the highest cost, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks, protect patients and avoid the NHS paying to fix botched influencers like Doc Tally and Midwife Marley - who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively - will produce videos offering guidance on how to make trips as safe as possible. They will include a checklist to consider before booking a influencers like Doc Tally and Midwife Marley - who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively - will produce videos giving advice on how to make trips as safe as will also provide followers with a check list to go through before considering booking a procedure minister Karin Smyth warned that "too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards."She said the partnership with TikTok would help people "make safer and more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be." Things to check before you book:Do thorough research about the procedureCheck the clinic's regulation and the surgeon's credentialsKnow the full cost and understand the aftercareAsk the vital question - if it goes wrong, who will fix it? When cosmetic procedures go wrong, the consequences can be devastating for years ago, Leah Mattson travelled to İzmir in Turkey to have gastric sleeve the surgery was initially successful and helped her lose weight, last year the 27-year-old returned to the same company to remove excess time, the procedure left her with a lopsided belly button, deep scarring on her arms and stomach area that she says left her feeling seeing the results of her surgery, Leah said she burst into tears."I just wanted to cry and I feel like I actually disliked my body more than when I was overweight."Leah found the clinic on social media and was encouraged by other people's positive experiences with similar surgeries."On apps like Instagram and TikTok, you search for weight-loss surgery and see the majority of people go to Turkey," she explained."I was thinking well all these people have had great experiences so I'm going to go."I just trusted them because I thought well if they're okay then I'll be okay and I didn't really pay much attention to the horror stories," she added."I didn't think it would ever happen to me."Leah now documents her experience on social media, using her platform to inform others about the risks involved in similar clinic which performed Leah's surgery in Turkey could not be reached for comment, but they previously issued a statement saying "plastic surgery isn't straight-forward and unfortunately some health issues or complications cannot be anticipated". Experts are urging people to think beyond the slick brochures and marketing, and to consider clinical standards, complication risks, and language Foreign Office will also provide more detailed travel advice for those considering going overseas for such Office Minister Stephen Doughty said: "If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved.""We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care.""Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow."Ali Law, TikTok's UK public policy lead, said the platform was "committed" to helping users find "information from trusted sources when searching for topics related to physical and mental health." Earlier this month, ministers outlined plans to reduce unsafe cosmetic treatments in the new rules, only "suitably qualified" and regulated health workers will be allowed to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt offering lower-risk procedures such as Botox and fillers will need a licence, and age limits will be introduced to stop children from copying dangerous beauty trends seen on social media.
Gulf Business
17-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
How can UAE-based firms manage employee travel risks in an uncertain world?
Image: Supplied In today's volatile global environment, travel risks have become a board-level concern for organisations headquartered in or operating out of the UAE and the Middle East. Whether responding to geopolitical instability, natural disasters, health outbreaks or climate-related disruptions, businesses must remain agile and informed to safeguard their most valuable asset: their people. Dubai and the broader UAE have long served as strategic hubs for multinational and regional companies, owing to their connectivity and business-friendly infrastructure. As a result, many organisations here have employees regularly deployed to — or permanently based in locations with elevated risk profiles. These include areas affected by conflict, civil unrest, health crises or environmental hazards. Sectors such as energy, construction, government services, NGOs and infrastructure development are especially prone to operating in such complex environments. While risk is not new, the speed and interconnected nature of today's crises demand a new level of preparedness. The UAE advantage – But no room for complacency Being headquartered in the UAE offers undeniable benefits — political stability, rapid response infrastructure, and strong global connectivity. However, these advantages do not come for granted outside of the UAE, whereby the security context can greatly shift. It's critical for organisations to recognise that the risk does not disappear at the departure gate. The Duty of Care follows employees wherever they go, and any lapse in preparedness can have legal, financial and reputational consequences. Thus, a holistic and proactive approach to travel risk management, one that is integrated into corporate strategy and culture, not just compliance checklists is a must. The new geography of risks and key steps to building resilience Today's risk landscape is no longer confined to conflict zones or politically unstable countries. Disruptions can arise suddenly, and from multiple sources: political unrest, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, or extreme weather events. Managing travel risk effectively requires a multi-layered approach. Based on our global expertise and regional experience, here are four key pillars UAE-based organisations should focus on: Pre-travel planning and risk assessment Before sending staff to a new location, particularly those marked as medium to high risk—conduct thorough threat assessments, backed by intelligence from trusted sources. Employee education and preparedness Regular training sessions, including crisis simulations, crisis management masterclass and security awareness briefings, equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately in dynamic environments. Real-time monitoring and incident response Having access to timely, verified information can be the difference between disruption and disaster. Therefore, having a system or team in place for real time monitoring and incident responses is crucial. Post-incident recovery and policy review Once a crisis has passed, it's vital to review and refine policies, ensuring lessons are incorporated into future planning. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to travel Whether your teams are deployed for infrastructure projects in remote areas or executive meetings in volatile regions, having the right strategy and plan makes all the difference. The writer is the GM Middle East, International SOS.
