Government announces review of cosmetic procedures

The Department of Health has launched a major review into cosmetic surgery and procedures in response to concerns raised about the industry following problems with PiP breast implants.

The review will look at many issues including whether the right amount of regulation is in place, if people have the right amount of information before going through with surgery and how to make sure patients get the right aftercare.

People are being asked to give their views on, and share their experiences of, the cosmetic surgery industry and cosmetic procedures. The call for evidence is asking for people’s views on:

• the regulation and safety of products used in cosmetic interventions;
• how best to ensure that the people who carry out procedures have the necessary skills and qualifications;
• how to ensure that organisations have the systems in place to look after their patients both during their treatment and afterwards;
• how to ensure that people considering cosmetic surgery and procedures are given the information, advice and time for reflection to make an informed choice; and
• what improvements are needed in dealing with complaints so they are listened to and acted upon.

This comes as a survey shows that many people consider the cost of surgery more important than the qualifications of the people doing it, or how they will be looked after.

It also shows that, as a result of the recent PiP breast implant problems, almost half of women (45%) who said they would have considered cosmetic surgery before, say that they are now less likely to have it. This compares to a quarter (24%) of men.