NEW RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE
COSMETIC SURGERY
The independent review into cosmetic interventions, today sets out how it
would like to see the sector better regulated, practitioners better trained and
people having proper redress if things go wrong.
The key elements the review group feel would contribute to a successful and
safe industry include:
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making all dermal fillers prescription only;
ensuring all practitioners are properly qualified for all the procedures
they offer. This needs to include all people from cosmetic surgeons
offering breast enlargement through to people offering injectables such
as dermal fillers or Botox®;
an ombudsman to oversee all private health care including cosmetic
procedures to assist those who have been treated poorly.
The review, led by NHS Medical Director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, has
been looking at how to protecting patients and tackle unsafe practices in an
industry believed to be worth £2.3 billion a year.
Commissioned by the Government following the PIP breast implant scandal,
the review has looked at the products used for surgical and non-surgical
procedures, the people who administer them, the way they are advertised and
the advice and support patients and consumers are given.
It has found that, despite the popularity of non-surgical procedures like
Botox®, dermal fillers or laser hair removal – which account for nine out of ten
procedures in the UK – there is almost no regulation. This is despite the fact
that they can have major, permanent effects on people’s health and wellbeing.
The committee was determined that the production of dermal fillers should fall
under the same controls as other implants as this will ensure that only those
fillers have passed vigorous appraisals of safety will be available, and only
those with appropriate skill will be able to administer them
Other key recommendations are:
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surgical providers should provide a record of implants and operations
to both the person undergoing a procedure and their GP;
a registry should be established for breast implants and other devices,
this should alert the authorities to any signs of concerns at an early
stage, and will provide critical intelligence in the event of product failure
or recall;
obtaining consent should not be dismissed as a casual irrelevance,
providers are obliged to ensure that people are aware of the
implications and risks of procedure and that they have adequate time
to consider this information before proceeding with surgery;
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an advertising code of conduct should be developed and compliance
should be mandatory for all practitioners; and
insurance products should be developed to protect patients in the
event of product failure, or provider insolvency.
Review chairman Professor 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.
“This isn’t just about the past and present, this is about protecting
people for years to come. We very much hope that our report will lead
to a safer environment for patients and this industry in the future.”
The review has assessed the current rules in England for:
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Products or devices used in cosmetic interventions, e.g. breast
implants or dermal fillers
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Practitioners of cosmetic interventions, be they health professionals or
non-health professionals
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Providers, be they large providers or small high-street beauty clinics
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Procedure that range from surgical operations to non surgical
treatments
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Insurance and indemnity requirements
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Patient information and consent
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The advertising and marketing of cosmetic interventions
The review was commissioned by ministers following the PiP breast implant
scandal, which exposed significant lapses in product quality, after care and
record keeping. It also drew attention to widespread use of misleading
advertising, inappropriate marketing and unsafe practices across the sector.
Background
A full copy of the report will be available from 00.01 hours on 24 April at
www.gov.uk/xxx
The Review Committee members were:
•
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, (Chair), NHS Medical Director
•
Doctor Andrew Vallance-Owen, former Group Medical Director of
BUPA
•
Catherine Kydd, campaigner on PIP implants
•
Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, Emeritus Professor of Health Law, Ethics
and Policy at University College London
•
Trish Halpin, Editor of Marie-Claire magazine
•
Dr Rosemary Leonard, GP and media doctor
•
Professor Shirley Pearce, clinical psychologist and former Vice
Chancellor of Loughborough University
•
Mr Simon Withey, plastic surgeon
•
Vivienne Parry, writer and broadcaster
For more information, contact Department of Health Press Office on 0207 210
5472 / 5504 / 5896.