Safer cosmetic surgery

We are campaigning to close the regulatory gap in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures to protect patients and ensure only qualified surgeons perform high-risk operations.

Aims of the initiative

• Secure comprehensive regulation for surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
• Continue to ensure RCS England as the leading voice on surgical safety and standards.
• Promote the Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification Scheme as the benchmark for surgical standards.

What we're doing

• Influencing government to adopt Board Certification as a legal requirement for cosmetic surgery.
• Advocating for licensing of non-surgical procedures under the Health and Care Act 2022.
• Engaging with DHSC Expert Group to define high-risk procedures and ensure they are restricted to certified surgeons.
• Partnering with media campaigns (e.g., Mirror’s “Ban Cosmetic Cowboys”) to raise public awareness.
• Providing evidence to parliamentary committees and participating in debates to push for legislative change. 

Get involved

• Share patient case studies with our press team to highlight risks and the need for regulation.
• Support our campaign by amplifying messages on social media and in professional networks.
• Encourage colleagues to adopt and promote Board Certification standards.

Background

Following the Keogh Review (2013) and the PIP implant scandal, we introduced the Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification Scheme in 2017 to address patient safety concerns. Despite progress, cosmetic surgery remains unregulated, allowing any doctor on the GMC register to perform procedures. This poses significant risks, with complications often treated by the NHS.

Our campaign seeks to ensure regulation to cosmetic surgery and ensuring Board Certification is the foundation of cosmetic surgery practice.

Outputs

• Cosmetic surgery professional guidance
• Cosmetic surgery certification scheme
• Certified surgeons’ register
• Cosmetic surgery patient information