Two London doctors have been threatened with prosecution for negligent surgery on a woman’s genitals. The Metropolitan Police Service is questioning the two doctors, who have not been named, following a complaint from a female patient who attended a private clinic for a labia reduction procedure.
The surgical procedure – labiaplasty – is popular among women who suffer low self-esteem or inconvenience as a result of their labia. Following the operation the woman has been left with permanent damage because the surgeons removed more than expected during the procedure.
Police have reportedly sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which is deciding whether to being charges under legislation that bans female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and the legislation prohibits any mutilation of a female’s genitals, including cosmetic procedures, unless the person who performs the operation is of the view that the operation is necessary for the women’s physical or mental health.
The Crown Prosecution Service is in the process of deciding whether it would be in the public interest to bring charges when the alleged victim is an adult who initially consented to the procedure.
This follows recent reports that surgeon Ian Paterson intentionally wounded several patients with unnecessary mastectomies, causing a great deal of physical and emotional trauma.
Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis Solicitors comments:
“Thankfully, criminal prosecutions as a result of surgery are relatively unusual and are only being considered in this case as a result of the FGM Act 2003.Statistics suggests that private cosmetic surgery is increasingly popular in the UK and I have seen an increase in clinical negligence enquiries relating to cosmetic surgery over the last 5 years”.
Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors
The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including unnecessary surgery claims, accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals. If you believe your medical practitioner has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.
Rebecca Thomas is a Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis. Rebecca has over 20 years’ experience in her field and represents clients in a wide range of cases including claims involving cosmetic and dental negligence, surgical and orthopaedic injuries arising from delay, misdiagnosis or negligent spinal surgery, gastrointestinal and ophthalmic surgery.