Posted: 20/07/2012
Labour MP Ann Clwyd has introduced a bill to the House of Commons this week seeking to establish minimum standards for the practice of cosmetic surgery. The Cosmetic Surgery (Minimum Standards) Bill would cover surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures and would place a ban on cosmetic surgery advertising.
Ann Clwyd has said: "The medical profession has always been controlled and regulated by strict ethics, but the voluntary codes of practice have been breached by some operators to make quick easy money. Too many people are suffering and being disfigured at the hands of cowboys who are being given a free rein to abuse the British public's trust in the voluntary system of medical ethics. Responsibility clearly lies with the Government to take action as soon as possible to stop any more innocent people being subjected to butchery at the hands of some greedy, unscrupulous and incompetent people and to introduce the kind of regulation for cosmetic surgery that is long overdue."
We welcome discussion and consideration of the situation as a considerable percentage (we have seen this quoted at 70%) of the cosmetic industry is effectively unregulated. Cosmetic practitioners in the private sector, for instance, could be no more than jobbing GPs and former dentists, so better qualifications are required.
At present, there are measures and standards to help regulate the industry, but some cosmetic surgeons operate outside these regulations. Some treatments and procedures are unlicensed for cosmetic use but can be given at the discretion of doctors, or 'off licence', in some clinics.
Surgical practice in the UK is regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and practising surgeons should be enrolled on its specialist register. However, some concessions are made for private cosmetic surgeons who have been practising since before April 2002. By satisfying certain criteria, these doctors can practise without the need to be on the specialist register. In our view this cannot be an acceptable situation and better regulation is required so that patients receive a good standard of care and can be confident in the skills and expertise of those treating them.
Contact: Alison Johnson
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