Patient safety

Better protection needed for cosmetic surgery

A review of cosmetic surgery led by Sir Bruce Keogh has recommended better regulation and training, particularly for non-surgical procedures such as Botox and fillers.

Despite the popularity of these procedures, there is hardly any regulation of the sector.

All dermal fillers should be prescription only and the Government must ensure all practitioners of cosmetic procedures are properly qualified. The review also suggests an ombudsman should be created to oversee all private health care.

All surgical providers should provide a record of implants and operations to both the patient and their GP, and a registry for breast implants and other devices could help to avoid a repeat of the PIP implant scandal that sparked the review.

Practitioners should ensure that patients are aware of the implications and risks of any procedure they offer, and an advertising code of conduct should be developed, the review added.

Sir Bruce Keogh said: “At the heart of this report is the person who chooses to have a cosmetic procedure. We have heard terrible reports about people who have trusted a cosmetic practitioner to help them but, when things have gone wrong, they have been left high and dry with no help. These people have not had the safety net that those using the NHS have. This needs to change.

“We would like to see everyone who chooses to have any cosmetic procedure better protected. We would like to see people who carry out procedures trained to a high standard. We would like the public to feel confident they are going to be well looked after and, if things go wrong, that they will be supported. And ultimately, if someone needs to step in on the side of patients, we think there should be an ombudsman to do that.”

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: “While there are some responsible clinics which do take proper care of their patients, Sir Bruce Keogh’s review makes clear that there is a significant risk of people falling into the hands of cowboy firms or individuals whose only aim is to make a quick profit. These people simply don’t care about the welfare of the people they are taking money from.

“If anything good can come of awful episodes like the PIP scandal, it is that the safety of the procedures that people may choose to undergo has been questioned. It is clear that it is time for the government to step in to ensure the public are properly protected.

“The independent panel has made some far-reaching recommendations, the principles of which I agree with entirely. We will consider the report carefully and respond in detail in the summer.”

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