17 July 2015

Private clinics offering non-surgical cosmetic interventions in Scotland will be regulated from April 2016 following the Scottish Government’s adoption of recommendations made by the Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group (SCIEG).

The SCIEG is chaired by BAPRAS member Andy Malyon, who was asked to form the group by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland with the aim of looking at the best way to regulate the growing cosmetic industry following the Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions, conducted by Sir Bruce Keogh in 2013.

The SCIEG report proposes a three-phase regulation regime, starting with private clinics. The second phase will look at a number of high risk procedures, including dermal fillers. The final phase will develop a system of regulation for other groups of practitioners. The full report can be found here

The report includes new research that reveals only 23 per cent of Scots have a fair amount of confidence in non surgical cosmetic procedures. A total of 4 per cent of the population have had a cosmetic procedure.

The regulation of private clinics will be managed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which has been responsible for regulating private hospitals conducting cosmetic surgery since 2011.

Andrew Malyon, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and BAPRAS member, said: “Cosmetic procedures have increased in popularity considerably in recent years. However, the Keogh Review found a worrying lack of regulation around the cosmetic industry, putting vulnerable patients at risk. The SCIEG was formed with representation from all those interested in ensuring that those delivering cosmetic interventions do so with an appropriate level of training and skill. Adoption of our recommendations is a great step forward for patient safety.”

Mr Malyon said that one of the problems encountered by the SCIEG in its work was the lack of information about the cosmetic procedures being performed. As well as aiming to safeguard standards of practice, the SCIEG recommendations should allow improved collection of data regarding levels of activity and therefore a greater insight into the sector.

About BAPRAS

BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 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.