BAPRAS responds to government response to Health Care Committee's report into PIP implants
Media Release- 5 July 2012
The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), which represents Plastic Surgeons on behalf of the Royal Colleges, has been part of the Government’s Expert Group on PIP breast implants since its formation in January 2012.
Tim Goodacre, Head of Professional Standards at BAPRAS and a leading Consultant Plastic Surgeon, said:
“As an Association which has worked closely with the Government to develop its final report on PIP implants, we fully agree with its response to the Health Care Committee’s report, with concern for women’s breast health and removal of anxiety remaining our priority.
“We have been reassured that, despite the use of non-medical grade silicone, PIP breast implants do not show any evidence of serious or potential harm to human health. This is very good news.
“However, PIP breast implants are clearly faulty and are significantly more likely to rupture than other types of implant, and are more likely to be associated with signs such as lumpiness or lymph node enlargement.
“It is critical that all the women involved feel fully supported and our advice remains the same; they should return to their implanting clinic for a consultation and that clinic should take full responsibility for supporting them. However, if women are not getting the help they need, then they should talk to their GP and be referred to an appropriately qualified surgeon operating within the NHS.
“Critically, we now need to focus on preventing this from happening again and to ask why these high rupture rates were unknown until now. The fact that it has taken nearly six months for the rupture rates to come to light raises many questions about how data is captured by private clinics and reinforces BAPRAS’s call for the highest standard of device regulation and a compulsory register of all operations using breast implants. As an Association BAPRAS continues to represent the highest standards of regulation and would encourage other professional bodies to adhere to this gold standard.
“We are pleased that the Government has taken on board such a depth of clinical opinion to help shape its response to the PIP situation and that we have been able to play a significant role in the process. We look forward to continuing discussions over reforms of cosmetic surgery regulation, as was announced by the Government earlier in the year.”
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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. 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