The hi-tech care on offer in Australia is helping to boost visitors to the country, according to a key hospital group.
Professor John Catford, medical director at Epworth, explained although there has been an increase in Australians travelling overseas for treatment, it would appear the domestic healthcare industry is now attracting foreign patients.
The past year has seen a rise in visitors from New Zealand, the US and across Asia, who are coming to benefit from the high-tech approach to medical care and experienced staff.
"If you think of international education, how important that is to the Australian economy …I think international healthcare could rival that in a decade or two," he told Australia Network's Newsline.
In 2011, the department of resources, energy and tourism and Deloitte Access Economics looked at the viability of Australia in terms of medical tourism. At the time, it estimated that around 10,000 people travelled to the country for treatment but it had potential to grow substantially.
Posted by Steve Douglas.
