GMC issues new guidance to cosmetic surgeons to improve patient safety (18 April 2016)

The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued new ethical and safety guidelines to cosmetic surgeons, which cover both surgical and non-surgical procedures – including breast augmentation and Botox – with the aim of improving patient safety.


The guidance is based upon a review of cosmetic treatments by NHS England national medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh – and will apply to all doctors across the UK.

In the introduction to its guidance, the GMC notes that cosmetic treatments have in recent years moved from being a niche market in medicine, to one that is now “popular and widespread”.

The guidelines aim to ensure that doctors follow existing safety protocols and give consideration to patients’ psychological needs – and ensure that the financial interests of surgery do not supersede or impact patient care.

Specific requirements for patient safety include new guidance that doctors carrying out a cosmetic procedure must personally discuss and obtain consent for the procedure with the patient – and patients must be given ample time to decide whether to go ahead with a procedure.

Doctors performing treatments must also ensure continuity of care post-procedure – and maintain full and accurate records of consultations.

GMC Chairman Terence Stephenson said he hoped the new guidelines would assist doctors, as well as increase patient safety.

“Cosmetic interventions should not be entered into lightly or without serious considerations … It is a challenging area of medicine that 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.”

Key points in the new GMC cosmetic surgery guidelines include:

Doctors must seek a patient’s consent to the procedure themselves rather than delegate – and must make sure patients are given enough time and information before they decide whether to have an intervention.

Doctors must also consider a patient’s psychological needs and whether referral to another experienced professional colleague is appropriate – as well as recognising and working within the limits of their own competence, seeking advice when necessary.

Doctors must also make sure patients have the information they want or need, including written information that supports continuity of care and includes relevant information about the medicines or devices used.

Doctors must also take particular care when considering requests for interventions on children and young people – and must market their services responsibly, without making unjustifiable claims about interventions, trivialising the risks involved, or using promotional tactics that might encourage people to make ill-considered decisions.

The guidelines also state that, as with all doctors in all fields of medicine, cosmetic surgeons must work in partnership with patients, treating them with respect and dignity – and keep patients safe, working to improve safety and report safety concerns, as well as working effectively with colleagues.

Doctors must also keep up-to-date with and follow relevant law and guidance, as well as being open and honest about their skills, experience, fees and conflicts of interests.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Cosmetic Surgery Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered injury as a result of a negligent cosmetic surgery procedure on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims relating to:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Anti-wrinkle treatments
• Blepharoplasty (eye lift)
• Breast surgery
• Buttock enhancement
• Electrolysis
• Gender re-alignment surgery
• Laser treatment
• Liposuction
• Maxillofacial surgery (facial reconstruction surgery, facelifts)
• Rhinoplasty (nose surgery).

Personal injury claims usually have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury. Children and minors can claim cosmetic surgery compensation up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Cosmetic Surgery Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.