COSMETIC SURGERY
l Surgeons performing cosmetic surgery should be certified in the area in which they practise.
l The operating surgeon should lead the consultation with the patient to outline the risks of the procedure, likely outcome and to provide the information that will help them decide whether or not to undergo surgery. The operating surgeon must also obtain written consent from a patient themselves – and not delegate it to a colleague.
l Patients should be offered a cooling off period of at least two weeks before they consent to an operation to give them time to reflect on a decision.
l Surgeons must make sure they have appropriate indemnity insurance to cover the procedures they are undertaking.
l Surgeons should refrain from using financial inducements such as time- limited offers and discounts.
Mr Cannon explained: “The vast majority of surgeons performing cosmetic surgery in the private sector are meeting the highest standards of patient care, but we want to make sure this is the case in every hospital and clinic around the country. “We have published these Professional Standards for Cosmetic Surgery, to raise the bar and make it absolutely clear what we expect of all surgeons working in the private sector. The operating surgeon should lead the consultation with the patient on the risks and possible outcomes of cosmetic surgery, to help them to decide whether or not to undergo a procedure. They should also obtain written consent from the patient themselves and not delegate it to a colleague. “Our message to surgeons and doctors working in the cosmetic surgery industry is
simple: if you are not working to the surgical standards we have set out and published, you should not be treating patients at all. We, and the regulators, will do everything within our powers to protect patients and stop unscrupulous individuals from practising.”
GMC guidance
The General Medical Council’s (GMC) latest guidance for doctors covers both surgical (such as breast augmentation) and non- surgical (such as Botox) procedures. The
guidance says that doctors must: l Advertise and market services responsibly – any advertising must be clear, factual, and not use promotional tactics, such as ‘two-for-one’ offers to encourage patients to make ill-considered decisions. It also includes a ban on offering procedures as prizes. Doctors must not allow others
to misrepresent their services.
l Give patients time for reflection – make sure they have the time and information about risks, to decide whether to go ahead with a procedure. Patients should not feel rushed or pressured.
l Seek a patient’s consent themselves – the doctor carrying out a cosmetic procedure is responsible for discussing it with the patient, providing them with the information and support they need, and for obtaining their consent. This responsibility must not be delegated.
l Provide continuity of care – the doctor must make sure patients know who to contact and how their care will be managed if they experience any complications, and that they have full details of any medicines or implants.
l Support patient safety – making full and
OCTOBER 2016
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