FOI REF: FOI/2023/4770
You asked
Please can you provide the number of people leaving the UK for health purposes (medical tourism) to the USA from the International Passenger Survey 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
We said
Thank you for your request.
The International Passenger Survey collects data on why UK residents travel abroad and one of the options is for a medical reason. However, the number of these visits is low when compared with other reasons, for example business trips and holidays.
There were less than 5 cases of visits to the US for this reason for each year requested. The ONS does not provide estimates where the number of cases is this low; such small numbers would result in the potential identification of individuals.
Therefore, we are unable to release the requested information.
Section 39 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (SRSA) renders it a criminal offence for the Statistics Board (ONS) to release personal information collected for statistical purposes. Personal information is any information held by ONS that would identify a body corporate or an individual, including those who are deceased.
As disclosure is prohibited by another enactment, this information is exempt from release under Section 44(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
If you would like further information about the International Passenger Survey or would like to enquire about our ad hoc analysis service please contact socialsurveys@ons.gov.uk.