Stinging Attack Launched At Cosmetic Surgery Industry

Mon, 26 Nov 2007

The UK’s cosmetic surgery industry has come under fire for its hard selling tactics, illegal advertisements and its profit-over-patient safety pursuit.

An investigation by a leading consumer organisation found that some UK clinics are breaking the law by allowing unqualified staff to prescribe the wrinkle treatment Botox ; not giving patients enough time to decide whether surgery is necessary; and using two-for-one offers to entice women to go through procedures.

It was also found that some clinics are risking patients' health because their staff do not know what to do if a customer suffers a severe allergic reaction to an anti-wrinkle injection.

The head of the industry's own trade association admitted on Saturday that 'bad practice' was widespread.

The latest findings follow accusations aimed at the UK dental industry after it was revealed that patients were receiving dental treatments, such as tooth whitening and dentures, from unqualified and inexperienced surgery staff and being sold 'home-made' dental products.

The investigation by Which? gathered 20 examples of alleged wrongdoing by cosmetic surgery firms that that exhibited at the recent Body Beautiful trade fair in London .

Sally Taber, director of the regulatory body Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, which represents the biggest chain of clinics, said she was horrified by the dossier of evidence she had seen from the investigation.

"Which? has given me a lot of examples. I was horrified to receive this letter. But I wasn't surprised, because we knew there was bad practice going on," she commented.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "People should have all the facts before going ahead with potentially life-changing cosmetic surgery ."

"There is a balance to be struck as to how far the taxpayer should be expected to pay for the regulation and policing of such procedures."

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are investigating the case of a woman who was caught acting illegally by passing herself off as a doctor and prescribing Botox at a London beauty clinic, despite the fact she was not registered with the General Medical Council.
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