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Cosmetic surgery industry steps in to safeguard patient safety25 April 2007The cosmetic surgery industry should step in to safeguard patients undergoing procedures such as Botox injections or dermal fillers, says Bupa Group Medical Director Dr. Andrew Vallance-Owen. As chairman of the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services' Working Group on Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Vallance-Owen and his colleagues had called on government ministers two years ago to introduce regulations to protect people. Dr. Vallance-Owen told a conference of cosmetic experts today that their calls had been turned down and that ministers are now looking to the industry to self-regulate. Addressing Laing & Buisson's conference "Cosmetic Procedures - The Coming Market", Dr Vallance-Owen said: "There is no question that better control of these facilities is needed. We are talking about invasive procedures. Botox is a prescription-only medicine and patient safety should be paramount. "If things go wrong, some patients could be left scarred physically or psychologically for life. "As it stands now, almost anyone can set up shop in the local High Street, don a white coat and start offering dermal fillers or arranging Botox parties. If we, the industry, don't step in these procedures will be less-regulated than ear-piercing." Dr. Vallance-Owen said he was disappointed that no progress had been made by the government in regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures despite intensive lobbying from the industry. Calling on colleagues to support moves to protect patients, he added: "Self-regulation is better than no regulation. If we want the sector to maintain its success we must retain patient confidence." The IHAS Working Group on Cosmetic Surgery has already produced 'Good Medical Practice in Cosmetic Surgery' and they believe this can be adapted to build a set of standards for non-surgical cosmetic surgery and a 'kite mark' awarded for providers who qualify. Dr. Vallance-Owen stressed that schemes like this would only work if patients and customers played their part by understanding the 'kite mark' system and only using premises in which it is displayed. Then they can be assured that staff are properly trained, premises are clean and emergency procedures are in place should anything go wrong. For further information on cosmetic surgery visit the Bupa cosmetic surgery website Back to the latest press releases
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