BAPRAS joins new global plastic surgery association ICOPLAST

9 November 2015

The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has joined more than 40 national plastic surgery societies to form a new global plastic surgery group, the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies (ICOPLAST).

The new non-profit organisation aims to ensure the highest possible quality of treatment for plastic surgery patients around the world through the sharing of best practice initiatives. 

The importance of global collaboration between plastic surgeons has been demonstrated by the support received by the Romanian Association of Plastic Surgeons following a recent nightclub fire in which 32 people died. Plastic surgeons from many countries, including BAPRAS and the British Burns Association (BBA) in the United Kingdom, have offered their expertise to help treat those affected.   

Nigel Mercer, BAPRAS President and consultant plastic surgeon, said: “BAPRAS is proud to be one of the founding members of ICOPLAST. The recent support given to the Romanian Association of Plastic Surgeons is just one example of the importance of collaborating to ensure the best possible outcomes for plastic surgery patients. We look forward to working with other national societies to advance plastic surgery throughout the world as part of this new partnership. ”


The stated mission of ICOPLAST is to:
• educate, communicate, advocate and advance the specialty of plastic surgery globally
• ensure that quality and safety are the essential components of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery training and patient care
• encourage collaboration of national plastic surgery societies worldwide

ICOPLAST will focus on promoting education, humanitarian opportunities, philanthropy and collegiality among the national societies, members, patients and the public. The group will also serve as a communications resource for BAPRAS to help provide a worldwide, unified voice for the safety and effectiveness of new procedures and devices within plastic surgery.

To date, plastic surgery societies from the following countries have joined BAPRAS in becoming part of ICOPLAST:

Argentina  Australia  Austria  Belgium 
Brazil  Bolivia   Canada   Chile 
Colombia  Costa Rica  Cuba   Croatia 
Denmark  Dominican Republic   Ecuador   Egypt 
El Salvador  Finland   France   Honduras  
Guatamala  Germany   Ireland   Israel
Italy  Japan   Mexico   Moldova 
The Netherlands  New Zealand   Panama   Peru 
Philippines  Portugal   Puerto Rico   Romania  
South Korea  Spain   Switzerland   Taiwan 
Uruguay United Kingdom United States of America   Uzbekistan
Venezuela      

ENDS

About BAPRAS
www.bapras.org.uk

BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, is the voice of plastic surgery in the UK.  It aims to increase the understanding of the professional specialty and scope of plastic surgery, promoting innovation in teaching, learning and research.

Founded in 1946 (originally as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons), today BAPRAS has over 800 members and is the professional representative body for reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeons providing services to patients on the NHS and privately in the UK.

Members of the public can find a member plastic surgeon in their area by logging on to www.bapras.org.uk.  Anyone can check the GMC to find out if a surgeon is on the plastic surgery specialist register;http://www.gmc-uk.org/register/search/index.asp

Follow BAPRAS on Twitter at @BAPRASvoice
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