USA After consulting a specialist in UK it was found I required Hip replacement. I then tried to get things moving and thought of going overseas for the surgery. I searched the Internet and allmedicaltourism.com sent an e-mail of companies that could manage the surgery abroad in India and Malaysia.

The 1st company to get in touch was MEDJOURNEYS from USA I thought I would inform you regarding Med jorneys a company who seemingly specialise in overseas surgery. Firstly all went well with a guy called TIM WALLACE being help full and convincing with their procedures, travel, etc He asked me to go to Edinburgh and get a holiday visa which I did and arranged with embassy and again had to pay myself. It seemed a fair price of 6600 GBP for the treatment at New Dehli hospital which I will say was very clean and tidy.

I Paid with no problems through my bank and transferred the money. The next stage was the travelling which was to be the 8th August verbally agreed before payment.

Then on the 6th August before I travelled came an e-mail saying the Doctor was going at a conference and would not be available for 2 weeks. Disappointed I agreed and was told I would travel around 24th August which I received e-mail info with procedures/travel etc. From India.

Again came an e-mail on the 20th August telling me no travel to India was taking place due to a virus in the hospital. I phoned and told them VERBALLY why leave it to the last minute and tell me when I knew about this situation on the 11th August as it was in the media and tv. Again no reply This time I was in two minds to cancel but again a guy called SONNY KRISHANA PHONED a few times and promised me for the 3rd time that there would be no problems in September and also said I would be required to pay another 750GBP before the operation to which I was annoyed but reluctantly agreed to pay when I arrived in India.

I eventually arrive in India on the 5th September and was admitted to the hospital. After paying the 750GBP I was taken for tests and x-rays with an ECG and was ready for the surgery on the 7th September, then came another problem which I gave them a letter from my GP telling them of the LBBB I had since 1997 when it was discovered. They wanted to do a stress test and a few other tests which I had no problem with. This was done and the next day the 8th September they said they would like to carry out another few tests and the word valve in my heart was mentioned. I was given 5 minutes to give them the go ahead. I immediately phoned home and agreed with my family I should come home.

I was discharged the same day and taken to a rest centre in Dehli and rested for 1 night. The next day I was asked if I would like to go home at 2 am on the 10th which I said yes and then the next bombshell was dropped with me having to pay 385 GBP to get my way home after already paying for a return air flight as they said the return was not transferrable or refundable. Obviously a cheap ticket for air travel AS NO REFUND ON THIS TRAVEL WAS ALLOWED.

I returned home and not once was contacted by MED JOURNEYS until 1 week later after I had tried to get in touch and was ALWAYS told no problem someone will phone you back. I told them there was nothing wrong with my heart as I had visited a specialist and did tests in UK. I also spoke about the flight money which they blamed on the airline and I asked if I was held up after my original flight date what would have happened. No reply was given. They told me they would be in touch soon and never phoned or e-mailed.

A week later by chance I asked them about the refund and was told it could take up to 60 days and I was annoyed as I sent money in good faith along with paying extra and was very surprised. I have kept all e-mail correspondence to back up all written with no replies to some e-mails and will forward to anyone if required. Again after getting in touch to TIM WALLACE WHO ALWAYS SEEMED AGITATED WHEN I MANAGED TO GET HIM My personal feeling is that when everything is going OK they will help in most ways but when things go wrong beware as MEDJOURNEY doesn't want to know.

On the 4th October I had a hip replacement in UK with no problems as I did my research and was told that the ECG showed no sign of change and would be no problem from 1997. I was discharged on the 7th October for rehabilitation and feel great especially after all the stress etc. I was put through by MED JOURNEYS with them still not giving me clear or no answers regarding refund. Again after getting in touch to TIM WALLACE WHO ALWAYS SEEMED AGITATED WHEN I MANAGED TO GET HI HE KEPT SAYING 60 DAYS IS WHAT IT MIGHT TAKE FOR A REFUND AND THE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT ARE DEALING WITH IT..

To keep you updated I have contacted them in November regarding any updates for my refund and how much it will be and they replied by e-mail, which I can forward if required along with any e-mails, saying that it takes time and they will contact me soon as anything happens

MED JOURNEYS still don't answer TELLING ME THE SIMPLE QUESTION OF HOW MUCH THEY PLAN ON REFUNDING to allow myself to check the comparison with what I've spent and sent them. They don't answer all e-mails or reply by phone..

TOTAL MONEY PAID OUT MEDJOURNEY 6600 GBP

INDIA ON ARRIVALTO HOSPITAL 750 GBP

EXTRA AIR FARE 385 GBP

INDIAN VISA 30 GBP

I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR TESTS ETC SHOWING HOW MUCH OF THIS MONEY WAS STILL NOT USED AND IN CREDIT.

This complaint is just to show you my concern to others abut MED JOURNEYS, that when things are OK you are treated well but if things go wrong that not all travel abroad is as they explain by their brochures.