Medi-spa cosmetic surgeon certification rules to change

The UK’s Royal College of Surgeons wants a new system to certify surgeons for separate cosmetic procedures to prevent doctors from carrying out surgeries outside their specialities. Medi-spas will be affected by the new system that will stop GPs carrying out nose jobs and dermatologists undertaking breast augmentation surgeries.

The whole cosmetic surgery industry has been under intense scrutiny since thousands of women were fitted with substandard breast implants made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP). Government officials described it as a “cowboy industry” of “murky practices”.

The Royal College of Surgeons has launched a consultation on ways to clean up the industry, according to the BBC. One suggestion is a register of certified surgeons to help the public make informed decision about the quality of surgeons. Doctors would have to be a proven specialist in their field and provide evidence about their success rate.

“Operating outside of speciality is a big problem in private practice as money is involved, so we hope to rectify that," said Stephen Cannon, vice-president of the College. "There will be no concerns if you’re already an established surgeon doing extremely well, but it will stop the general practitioner doing the nose job and it’ll stop the dermatologist lifting someone’s breasts – it will stop all the cowboy behaviour that goes on.”

The problem with the proposed certificate system, however, is that it will be voluntary.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) says the proposal is a step in the right direction but it does not go far enough. Rajiv Grover, a Baaps spokesperson and former president said: “This will only protect the public if the recommendations are mandatory and policed.”

“We really need it to be mandatory," added Gary Ross, a consultant cosmetic plastic surgeon. "We need every plastic surgeon and cosmetic surgeon to be involved and to be regulated and certified."