Welsh MP pushes for makeover to cosmetic surgery industry
A new drive is underway to get legislation to stop botched plastic surgery.
It comes amid ongoing concerns about the lack of minimum standards in the support that some patients get. Our Correspondent Carl Edwards has the story.
Plastic surgeon: 'We really need to protect the public'
Max Murison, a consultant plastic surgeon in South Wales, said that "we see people on a regular basis, probably monthly, where something terrible has gone wrong", as treatment has been done incorrectly, they have gone to someone not adequately trained, or tried to administer a product themselves.
He told our Correspondent Carl Edwards "these things can cause a lot of long-term harm, and we really need to protect the public."
Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd says she has tried to introduce legislation to prevent the "horrific consequences" of botched cosmetic surgery three times over the last 20 years.
She is now sponsoring a Private Member's Bill through, which has its second reading in the House of Commons next month.
Implants made by French company Poly Implant Prothese were filled with non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses, and many of the implants ruptured.
The Welsh Health Minister has effectively told MPs on the Commons Health Committee to back off. Lesley Griffiths was responding to their criticism of the Welsh Government's policy of replacing PIP implants. She said,
Health is a devolved matter, and my response to the PIP issue has been based entirely on what is best for women in Wales needing help from the health service in Wales. I note with interest the contents of today's report but the UK government has no jurisdiction over health in Wales.
Welsh Government will replace banned PIP implants Credit: ITV News Wales
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths will respond to a report by MPs which questioned the Welsh Government's policy on replacing them.
The Welsh Government has offered to pay to replace banned PIP breast implants for those treated privately, while in England the NHS will remove but not replace them.
The Welsh Government has issued new advice to women who have had PIP breast implants. They say patients should now speak to their GP or surgeon whenever they underwent surgery, because of fears about the quality of silicon gell used. The problem was thought to only affect implants used since 2001.
