Cosmetic surgery website launched

A website that will provide information about cosmetic surgery and treatments is being launched by the government.

The Department of Health say people considering treatment need to be able to recieve reliable information about the risks and likely outcomes.

Though not available on the NHS there has been a big increase in demand in recent years, and the Government is concerned that many people opt to undergo treatment without first seeking proper medical advice.

Professor Sir Liam Donaldson set up a committee last year to examine the regulation of cosmetic surgery, and one of the key recommendations was that the public should have access to detailed, accredited advice, including what standards to expect from providers, what qualifications to look for and what questions to ask.

Sir Liam said: "People need help and support to make informed choices about whether to have cosmetic surgery or a non-surgical cosmetic treatment.

"Well informed patients can help to drive up standards among providers in a field of healthcare where there have been concerns."

The website includes an A-Z list of all cosmetic procedures, with details of what each treatment involves, any potential risks, and what results to expect.

It also provides details on possible alternatives to cosmetic surgery.

There is also information on how to check that the surgeons, doctors, dentists, nurses or beauty therapists carrying out the cosmetic treatments have the right qualifications and experience.

The Senate of Surgery's Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialty Committee, say that they welcome the publication of greater information and more reliable guidance for patients considering cosmetic procedures, which will complement the work already well advanced in the development of enhanced training and assessment of practitioners, compliance with minimum healthcare standards and the monitoring of newly emerging techniques.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, also welcome the new website, saying anything that patients can get that leads them to qualified people has got to be encouraged.

Since April 2002 all practitioners have to be listed on a specialist register, however, people who were practising before that were allowed to continue even if they did not have formal qualifications giving rise to there being a number of practitioners who do not hold formal qualifications in aesthetic surgery.