Clinical negligence team concerned about lack of regulation as claims for botched cosmetic surgery increase

Posted: 25/11/2013

The clinical negligence team at Penningtons Manches is seeing an increase in enquiries from patients who have not only undergone a cosmetic treatment in the UK but also abroad, within what is largely an unregulated industry. The cosmetic surgery industry is a rapidly growing industry which produces enormous revenue but better regulation and protection is needed to protect those victims of 'backstreet Botox' procedures.

Sir Bruce’s Keogh’s comments that better regulation and protection is needed for consumers of cosmetic surgery have been welcomed by clinical negligence lawyers and the industry alike but The Daily Mail, which has also been campaigning for tougher regulation, has recently reported that the Government is set to reject a review and recommendations for better regulation of the cosmetic industry. The minimum safeguards Sir Bruce Keogh wanted to be implemented are: a minimum standard of training and experience for cosmetic surgeons, a regulatory body of registered, properly insured members, an end to hard-sell tactics, and a 30 minute consultation with the surgeon at least two weeks before any procedure is consented to.

Amy Milner, associate in the clinical negligence team at Penningtons Manches LLP, said: “While no firm decision has been made by the Government in respect of Sir Bruce Keogh’s recent inquiry and recommendations, we have been dismayed to read of the potential rejection of the review and recommendations for better regulation by the Government as reported by The Daily Mail. It is clear that this growing industry needs more regulation to protect consumers from 'cowboys' and we hope this won’t be the last we hear about the much needed regulation and protection for consumers given the devastating outcomes that we have seen from some botched cosmetic surgery procedures”.

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