MPs have warned that a delay in action on high-risk cosmetic procedures “is prolonging a significant risk to patient safety”. The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), a cross-party group of MPs, said it is “deeply disappointed” by a lack of Government action to address cowboy practitioners.
Government criticised for slow response
The committee said ministers are “not moving quickly enough” in introducing a licensing system for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and “should accelerate regulatory action”. In February, the WEC called for procedures including the liquid Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and liquid breast augmentations to be banned from the high street immediately.
It also demanded ministers “require all practitioners performing invasive surgical cosmetic procedures to have specialist training and hold appropriate board certification in the procedures they undertake”. However, the committee said it is still yet to receive a response from the Government despite a reply being due in April.
Patient safety at risk
The WEC said: “The lack of a timely response to our report risks reinforcing concerns that women who have experienced adverse health impacts after having breast implants are not being taken seriously by healthcare authorities.” The inquiry heard stories of women contracting sepsis and needing extensive corrective surgery after botched procedures, as well as a failure to protect the public from rogue operators.
Interim committee chair Christine Jardine, a Lib Dem MP, said: “MPs are deeply disappointed by this significant delay. It leaves important recommendations unaddressed and patients’ safety at significant risk. It is clear that high-risk procedures are still being carried out and that they are being delivered by unqualified practitioners and in unsafe settings. This delay in government action in this area is prolonging a significant risk to patient safety.”
Government pledges new measures
She added: “While it is positive to hear a licensing system for non-surgical cosmetic procedures will be introduced within this Parliament, this issue requires much faster regulatory progress, particularly in high harm areas, and the Government is not moving quickly enough.” The Mirror is campaigning for tougher rules, including requiring cosmetic operations such as liposuction and surgical face lifts to be carried out only by properly trained surgeons on the GMC specialist register.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This government is committed to protecting the public and keeping them safe from rogue practitioners. We have worked with experts to develop tough new measures to ensure only qualified healthcare professionals can perform these high-risk cosmetic procedures. We will soon be consulting on this new legislation including restricting all cosmetic surgery to doctors who are regulated to strict standards set by the General Medical Council and who work from Care Quality Commission regulated settings. For anyone considering a cosmetic procedure, please check the provider’s qualifications and insurance - and avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap.”
