Woman Travels to China for Medical Tests After Contributing £54,000 to the NHS

Amie, a young woman facing health issues, has decided to travel to China for medical tests instead of waiting for NHS treatment in the UK. Sharing her story on TikTok, she explained that securing an appointment with her GP would take at least two weeks, while in China she could see a specialist, undergo tests such as an endoscopy, receive results, and start treatment—all in the same timeframe.

Acknowledging that her decision might seem unconventional, Amie expressed frustration that her symptoms might not be taken seriously by her GP, possibly due to her age. Despite having contributed £54,000 to National Insurance over the past five years, she feels the NHS is failing her by not providing timely diagnostics.

Amie emphasized that she is not criticizing the NHS lightly but believes the system “isn’t working” as it should. She plans to visit Beijing alone to access faster, more efficient healthcare services. While she intends to continue using the NHS in the future, her immediate need for answers has driven her to seek alternatives abroad.

Her TikTok video has resonated with many users. One shared their experience of obtaining an endometriosis diagnosis within two hours in China after nine years of delays with the NHS. Another praised dental care received in Shanghai as the best they’ve ever had.

A Chinese resident living in the UK echoed Amie’s decision, encouraging her and noting that choosing medical care in China can be more efficient. An NHS doctor trained in China also supported the choice, acknowledging the advanced healthcare practices there.

In her video caption, Amie summarized her view: “China is infinitely more efficient when it comes to medical care than the NHS. Pricing is reasonable even for non-Chinese people who pay fully out of pocket. Fingers crossed I can have some answers sooner than later!”

While her journey is unusual, Amie’s story highlights growing frustrations with NHS wait times and the lengths some patients are willing to go to receive timely medical care.