The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons is the voice of plastic surgery in the UK, advancing education in all aspects of the specialty and promoting understanding of contemporary practice.
BAPRAS speaks for the majority of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeons providing services to patients in the UK today.
Founded in 1946 in the aftermath of world war, as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, the Association had the objectives of relieving sickness and protecting and preserving public health by the promotion and development of plastic surgery. The aim of the Association was to advance education in all aspects of plastic surgery.
Today, these objectives remain. However, techniques and expertise have progressed to the extent that plastic surgery needs to be understood in a modern, wider context. While the majority of plastic surgery work is reconstructive, restoring form and function following illness or trauma, the world knows that some is aesthetic or ‘cosmetic', where people elect for plastic surgery to change form or appearance. As innovative techniques develop, both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery inform each other. The one improves the other, and vice versa, which can only be in the interest of all patients.
As the voice of plastic surgery, BAPRAS sees its role as increasing understanding of the scope of plastic surgery. We aim to raise the profile of plastic surgeons as an intrinsic element of care teams providing specialist care to patients with a wide range of conditions. Continuing our objective of advancing education, BAPRAS is always looking to promote innovation within the speciality of plastic surgery.
How we work
BAPRAS is a democratic, membership-based organisation for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons working in the UK
Governed by elected officers and council of members (who are also trustees of the Association), BAPRAS exists to further the professional specialism of plastic surgery, by promoting innovation and understanding. Of the officers, the President and Deputy President hold a two-year tenure and the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, a three-year tenure. Council members are elected for a three-year period. For further details visit the Council page.
There are also a number of committees, supporting key functions of the organisation such as professional standards, education and training and communications, as well as special interest groups that have been established on important areas of plastic surgery.
All Officers, Council, Committee and special interest group members are members of the Association and practising consultant plastic surgeons.
BAPRAS members also sit on other bodies in order to further represent the specialty of plastic surgery amongst other surgical specialties, research interests or specific charitable organisations.
In pursuit of its educative and promotional objectives, BAPRAS runs a range of activities - largely for plastic surgeon members, but also with the aim of raising awareness amongst wider healthcare professionals. Besides holding bi-annual scientific meetings and running training courses, BAPRAS provides awards, scholarships and grants.
Our flagship publication is the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS) - formerly the British Journal of Plastic Surgery. Dedicated to publishing original research, educational material and information on all aspects of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, JPRAS is one of the leading international journals in the professional specialty.
Many BAPRAS members have a personal interest in overseas humanitarian work and BAPRAS itself seeks to support the provision of emergency reconstructive surgical services in the event of a man-made or natural disaster, along with supporting the development of sustainable high quality reconstructive surgery services overseas, via our associated charity, BFIRST.
BAPRAS also maintains a comprehensive archive of plastic surgery information, publications and implements.
Representation
BAPRAS is proud to have representation on the following external bodies:
• The Armed Forces
• BMA Surgical Specialties Subcommittee of the BMA Central Consultants and Specialists Committee
• British Association of Dermatologists' therapy and guidelines subcommittee
• Royal College of Surgeons of England Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialty Committee
• Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations / The Surgical Forum
• The Scar Free Foundation – Both its Research Council and Board of Trustees
• Intercollegiate Board in Plastic Surgery
• JCST Training Interface Groups in breast surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery, hand surgery, cosmetic reconstruction
• The Association of Breast Surgeons
• Cosmetic interventions guideline development group
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
• National Cancer Intelligence Network for Skin
• National Casemix Group
• The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency
• The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Surgical Specialty Group in Plastic Surgery
• The Royal College of Surgeons of England Council
• The Royal College of Surgeons of England Invited Review Mechanism
• The Royal College of Surgoens of England National Fellowship Scheme Committee
• Royal College of Surgeons Joint Revalidation Committee
• Advisor in Cleft Surgery
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research Group
• Specialist Advisory Committee in Plastic Surgery
• European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• Union Europeenne de Medecins Specialistes
• The Academy of British Cosmetic Practice
• The Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations
• Experts in Severe and Complex Obesity
• The British Standards Institute
Associated Charities
Originally formed as BAPRAS' Overseas Service and Training Committee, BFIRST was launched in 2014 as a stand-alone charity, to support projects across the developing world to train surgeons and staff in their local environment to an independent level in reconstructive surgery, enabling patients to be treated appropriately and sustainably within their communities.
Visit the BFIRST website
BAPRAS (formerly as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons) helped establish The Healing Foundation in 1999 as a charitable organisation and it remains on the Board of Trustees.
In 2016, the Healing Foundation became the Scar Free Foundation. The foundation has a large research focus that is multidisciplinary but that covers areas of patient health that relate to plastic surgery: Scarless healing, tissue regeneration, stem cells, psychological well being and patient information. For more information visit their website