BAPRAS Statement on Protecting Patient Safety in Cosmetic Surgery

6th November 2024

 

This statement comes in response to the recent BBC article exposing cases of injury and disfigurement following liposuction procedures, as well as other reports of tragic outcomes from cosmetic procedures performed by non-medical practitioners. These reports underscore the urgent need for stricter regulation of the aesthetic surgery industry in the United Kingdom.

The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, as the national body for plastic and reconstructive surgery, is gravely concerned by the human stories of pain, suffering and loss of life that have emerged in the press.
We wish to express our sympathy for those affected.

As professionals with 10 years or more of training, often including higher research and fellowships, our members work to improve the lives of adults and children suffering from cancers, congenital abnormalities, burns, trauma and appearance concerns. Within the NHS and private healthcare systems, our members bridge the spectrum from cosmetic enhancement through functional restitution to life-saving and life-enhancing care.

The British public deserves access to safe, professional and regulated surgical care. British patients should be able to expect honesty, professionalism and the benefits of care from specialist, regulated professionals, and we work towards that goal.

We strongly advocate for stricter regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry and urge patients considering any surgical procedure to verify their practitioner's credentials and medical qualifications. BAPRAS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and surgical excellence in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

 

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