Every Breast Implant Operation in England to be recorded on a new Register

Implant register welcomed but must be compulsory

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons welcomed a clampdown on unethical advertising, as well as news from the Department of Health that an official breast implant register is to be piloted. After the dissolution of the original database over seven years ago, the BAAPS has campaigned to have a compulsory system reinstated – particularly since the PIP implant crisis, which saw over 40,000 women in the UK fitted with defective medical devices.

Rajiv Grover, BAAPS President, consultant plastic surgeon, says:

Textured and silicone gel breast implants

“At the BAAPS we have been very vocal in our concerns over the tone of aggressive marketing that has been allowed to proliferate unchecked over the last decade, particularly unethical deals and prizes that trivialise life-changing treatment. Whilst we’re pleased there is to be a clampdown on time-linked incentives that place undue pressure on the public, we continue to call for an outright ban on all advertising of medical procedures. People considering cosmetic surgery have a lot to think about: possible risks, their own expectations, the qualifications of the provider, recovery – whether there’s a Christmas sale, a two-for-one if they book by Friday or get Nectar points should never play a part in a sensible decision-making process.”

“We are thoroughly relieved that the Government has seen the light in terms of the importance of reinstating the implant register – but the system must be made compulsory, otherwise it is a waste of time. Whilst independent consultants and many reputable groups were able to easily contact their patients during the PIP implant crisis, the scandal shone a light on shoddy recordkeeping from many corners of the sector; with women being given the wrong or no information at all in regards to what had been placed within their bodies. A centralised and comprehensive database is well overdue and essential for the public’s safety and peace of mind. We also call upon the Government to utilise proceeds from such a register for scientific research purposes, specifically into implant safety projects: it is no less than the hundreds of thousands of women undergoing breast surgery deserve.”

Based at the Royal College of Surgeons, the BAAPS is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. The BAAPS has also long campaigned for UK-based or equivalent professional indemnity insurance to be compulsory for all surgeons practising in Britain. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on their web site, or by contacting their advice line at 020 7405 2234. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter and Facebook. For all media enquiries, please email Tingy Simoes.

Sources: Sign me uplift, BAAPS Press release, 29 Dec 2013.

Related press coverage:

• Breast implants register aimed at cleaning up industry
  BBC News Health, 29 Dec 2013
• Breast implant register for UK in the wake of the PIP scandal, The Guardian, 29 Dec 2013
• Exclusive: Action on implants – Government to implement cosmetic surgery controls
  The Independent, 29 Dec 2013
• All our posts tagged Breast Implants and Women’s Health