Survey reveals 95% of surgeons believe clinics - not the taxpayer and hospitals should pay for defective implant removal

Clinics Refusing to Help an ‘Increasingly Isolated’ Element of the Private Sector

13 January 2012 (Last updated: 27 Mar 2019 12:41)

 

London – 13 January, 2011 – Despite assurances from the Government that there is no clinical need for ‘routine’ removal of controversial PIP implants, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk) remains steadfast in their advice of precautionary removal. Today they unveil the results of an internal poll among its 230 members which shows a staggering majority believe clinics should take financial responsibility for the replacement of these defective devices.

The results revealed only 8% of BAAPS surgeons, who have to have held a number of substantive posts on the NHS to be eligible for membership, ever used PIPs implants themselves. A whopping 95% of all members agree it should be the clinics and hospitals that should pay for the replacement surgery, rather than burden the taxpayer with these costs.

According to consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President Fazel Fatah;

“We remain steadfast in our recommendation to the public of precautionary removal of these defective devices. Although there is no immediate health risk, the gel within these implants is simply not meant to be inside the human body.”

According to consultant plastic surgeon and former BAAPS President Nigel Mercer;

“We knew already that very few of our surgeons ever handled these controversial implants as they were known to be the cheapest option (though used in good faith), so I am glad to find out that the numbers are so small. We have issued a directive to all members who may have used them to replace PIPs for free and cooperate fully with their hospitals and clinics to do so, and ensure a smooth and dignified process for everyone involved. We have also urged all members to be generous to women who aren’t receiving help elsewhere.”

Fazel Fatah concludes;

“It does not surprise me that our membership agrees that the NHS and therefore the taxpayer should not be burdened with the cost of these operations. There are a few clinics that continue to refuse to assist their patients but they do not encompass the whole of the private sector – they represent a disappointing and increasingly isolated element still not putting patients’ peace of mind and therefore quality of life ahead of commercial considerations.”

ENDS

About the BAAPS

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk ), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia      and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

 

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