Call for Urgent Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery Industry

A review led by NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh has severely criticised the cosmetic surgery industry. He warned that filler injections were subject to “no more control than a bottle of floor cleaner”.

A review led by NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh has severely criticised the cosmetic surgery industry. The use of fillers to plump up the skin, fill in wrinkles and crow’s feet and create a younger looking appearance has been singled out as an area lacking any control.  Sir Bruce warned that filler injections were subject to “no more control than a bottle of floor cleaner”.

As a result of the lack of control and the fact that anybody can inject filler, patients have suffered disfigurement, bruising and blindness. The report said the practice was “a crisis waiting to happen” and the committee called for proper professional requirements and training. There was also a call for a crackdown on the ‘hidden advertising’ of cosmetic surgery which trivialise the procedures such as that seen in television series ‘The Only Way is Essex’.

Following the recent PIP breast implant scandal, which uncovered the use of substandard breast implants, a register of breast implant patients must be set up within the next 12 months.  Further key demands of the review are:

•    compulsory registration and training for all those in the industry,
•    banning of distasteful ‘buy one get one free’ offers,
•    insurance for clinics,
•    a cooling off period,
•    information for patients regarding the success rate of surgeons, and
•    for facial fillers to be only available only on prescription.

Sir Bruce Keogh stated that the report seeks to protect those who choose to have cosmetic surgery. Reports abound of people that have trusted a practitioner but when things have gone wrong have been left without recourse. The Royal College of Surgeons called on ministers to implement the proposals ‘without delay’.

If you have been affected by this issue, here at Attwaters Jameson Hill we have a specialist Medical Negligence Department who are very experienced in dealing with these types of claims.

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