New Rules For Cosmetic Surgeons

The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued strict new rules on cosmetic surgery.

18:04 14 April 2016

GMC, the body that regulates doctors in the UK, has published strict rules on cosmetic surgery that could see practitioners struck off for offering deals and misleading patients. The guidance applies to both surgical and non-surgical procedures including Botox and breast implants.

 

The new guidance prohibits practitioners from offering promotional methods such as “two-for-one” price, and making “unjustifiable claims”. They must also ensure that patients do not feel pressured into signing up for a procedure. 

 

Professor Terence Stephenson, chairman of the GMC, said: “Cosmetic interventions should not be entered into lightly or without serious considerations.

 

”Above all, patients considering whether to have such a procedure need honest and straightforward advice which allows them to understand the risks as well as the possible benefits.

 

“It is a challenging area of medicine which deals with patients who can be extremely vulnerable.

 

"Most doctors who practise in this area do so to a high standard but we do sometimes come across poor practice, and it is important that patients are protected from this and that doctors understand what is expected from them.“