Report slams cosmetic surgery firms

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Fewer than half of sites performing operations have a fully equipped operating theatre and far too many firms will just "have a go" at procedures.

The report, from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), said the regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry "remains poor".

It found training in cosmetic surgery is available at just 16% of sites, with the rest failing to provide any training.

Almost one in five (18%) units have no policy on what to do if patients needed readmitting in an emergency following their operation, with the "default position" being the NHS will pick up the tab and provide care.

The report also found many units do not carry out enough procedures on their "menu" to ensure their surgeons retain expertise, despite the fact "experience and competence run hand in hand".

It said: "With the exception of breast augmentation, the majority of centres performed fewer than 20 of the offered procedures per year."

Experts also revealed that 32% of firms do not offer a "cooling off" period as laid down in rules from the General Medical Council on obtaining proper consent, while 22% do not have a member of resuscitation staff on duty at all times.

There was also evidence of companies flouting rules on advertising and promotions, with the existence of a voluntary code of conduct being "insufficient to regulate unscrupulous advertising that could take advantage of the vulnerable patient."

Just 64 out of more than 350 sites said they referred patients to the Government's independent information on cosmetic surgery and only 35% of sites carried out routine psychological assessments before patients went ahead with surgery.