UK Doctors who carry out cosmetic procedures have been issued with new guidance by the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure they provide the best possible care for patients. This guidance comes into force in June and covers both surgical and non surgical treatments. It says that Doctors must advertise and market services responsibly, give patients time for reflection, seek a patient’s consent themselves, not delegate it, provide continuity of care and support patient safety by making full and accurate records of consultations and contributing to programmes to monitor quality and outcomes, including registers for devices such as breast implants. “The guidance also warns Doctors not use promotional tactic, such as ‘two for one’ offers and bans the practise of offering procedures as prizes”.
Professor Terence Stephenson, Chair of the GMC said “Our new guidance is designed to help drive up standards in the cosmetic industry and make sure all patients are given the care, treatment and support they need.
Health Minister Ben gummer said “This new guidance for Doctors is an important step forward in improving standards and ending the lottery of poor practice in parts of the industry.
The Royal College of Surgeons has also published its own set of professional standards specifically for cosmetic surgery, which will supplement the GMC’s guidance. Stephen Cannon (Vice President) said “Our professional standards for cosmetic surgery, coupled with the GMC’s new guidance will raise the bar and make absolutely clear what we expect from surgeons working in the private sector.
The message is simple. If you are not working to the standards then you should not be treating patients at all. We and regulators will do everything in our powers to protect patients and to stop unscrupulous individuals from practising.
It will soon be much easier to find a cosmetic surgeon who has the necessary skills and experience to perform the procedures that patients need or want and there will be a guide for patients, which will give advice and information on things to consider and the questions they should ask their doctor.
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