Transform Group to launch patient care charger

Tim Goodacre, Chair of BAPRAS' Professional Standards Committee

“The PIP controversy over the last six months has shown the public that there is a real need for a change in the way some clinics promote cosmetic surgery procedures, often targeting a very vulnerable section of the population with sophisticated marketing techniques. BAPRAS welcomes any commitment to improving standards in patient care, as an Association which continues to demand the highest standards of practice through appropriate regulation for the benefit of the wider population.

“However, we believe that what is needed now is not a new patient care charter, but a wholesale change in practice. Whilst a self-imposed voluntary code of marketing practice for clinics is a step in the right direction, we would like to see the end of irresponsible cosmetic surgery ‘deals’ with an industry wide, compulsory code which sees swift action taken against those who break the rules.

We are encouraged by the initial report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image which expresses concern about the changing pressure on body image perception in British society. The cosmetic surgery 'industry' plays a significant part in this process, and BAPRAS urges a strong statutory regulatory framework with adequate policing to reverse this unhealthy trend in the UK.

“It is somewhat surprising that this self-imposed code should be announced at this time, when the work commissioned from Sir Bruce Keogh by the Secretary of State in January to address the whole regulatory process of cosmetic surgery in England, is to be delivered by March 2013. A number of private clinics were signatories of a previous voluntary code (IHAS 2006) that have manifestly failed to prevent gross promotion of cosmetic surgery.

“Following our involvement in the Government’s Expert Group on PIP breast implants, we continue to lead the call for establishing a compulsory register of all operations using breast implants to ensure the highest standards of patient care and industry regulation”.