BAAPS Response To Department Of Health Report
27 Jan 2004
Experts Welcome Government Initiative
London, UK – 27 January, 2004- The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons welcomes the Department of Health’s report, and is delighted that one of its leading members, former President Norman Waterhouse, was invited to sit on the committee for this important government initiative.
The Association has long expressed its concern with the lack of regulation in the cosmetic surgery industry, and has been active in providing objective advice and education to the public. The BAAPS hopes this report will mark the beginning of a trend in improved legislation to ensure patient safety.
According to Norman Waterhouse;
"We are especially pleased to note the emphasis on proper credentialing for practitioners on the specialist register, as many of them have been deliberately misleading patients as to their qualifications. Stronger legal requirements for advertising, and tighter controls for non-surgical treatments are also a step in the right direction."
As shown in the BAAPS’ latest audit results, released earlier this week, demand for plastic surgery is on the increase.
According to Adam Searle, consultant plastic surgeon and President of the BAAPS;
"Too often patients do not have enough information to make educated choices - which leaves them vulnerable to unscrupulous practitioners seeking to ‘cash in’ on the trend. This report’s focus on the need for disclosure of surgeons’ training and accreditation provides a good starting point. The BAAPS, as part of the Royal College of Surgeons, will continue to be an unbiased source of educational materials and reputable surgeons."
The BAAPS views the Department of Health’s report as an important stepping-stone for the cosmetic arena to reach a level of ethics comparable to other surgical professions.