Surgeons produce manifesto for cosmetic ops
Surgeons have produced their own manifesto ahead of the general election urging the next Government to protect patients by introducing stronger regulation for cosmetic surgery.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England says current UK law allowing any doctor to perform cosmetic surgery in the private sector makes it hard for patients to distinguish between well-trained surgeons and those who should not be practising.
Since 2017, the college has run a voluntary certification scheme for cosmetic surgeons meeting specific standards, which patients can verify on its website.
It is urging the GMC to make this certification a regulated credential to enhance patient safety.
RCS England said: ‘Reports highlight UK residents risking their lives for cosmetic surgery abroad, often persuaded by unscrupulous overseas professionals.
‘The next UK government must protect patients by introducing stronger regulations for cosmetic surgery and closing regulatory gaps within the first year.’
Action plan
It wants an action plan for protecting patients from unregulated cosmetic surgery in the UK, plus new legislation to close regulatory gaps around cosmetic surgery, including loopholes allowing overseas-based medical professionals to come to the UK and improperly coerce UK patients to undergo cosmetic surgery abroad.
The manifesto also calls for the next government to:
Fund a £6.4bn annual funding increase to upgrade NHS facilities to reduce NHS waiting lists to pre-pandemic level by expanding surgical capacity, updating infrastructure, growing the workforce and increasing the number of surgical hubs;
Make the NHS a more attractive place to work by introducing a wellbeing package to support the morale of our workforce;
Ensure staff feel safe by taking a zero tolerance approach to sexual misconduct in the NHS;
Improve the oral health of the UK population;
Invest in social care to take pressure off the NHS.