Alexander Harris Solicitors
Jump to navigation.

No Header

Following government plans announced earlier this year to regulate the cosmetic surgery industry, several Labour MPs have called for stricter regulations to be introduced governing laser eye surgery.

The MPs will call on the Department of Health to licence clinics in order to protect patients from rogue surgeons.

Around 100 000 people undergo laser eye surgery every year in the hope of correcting their short-sightedness. Clinics currently charge patients up to £3000.

In a national newspaper, Frances Blunden, principal policy adviser to Which? consumer magazine commented:

"There needs to be much tougher inspection of laser eye clinics. It is a very serious matter; patients could lose their sight. Lasers are powerful things. They need to be used very carefully."

Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer for England announced plans to establish a clear set of standards and training for the cosmetic surgery industry in January.

The moves for further regulation came after two reports were published revealing a worrying lack of regulation over treatments such as Botox.

Under the new rules, to be put in place by April 2006 all medical procedures will have to be carried out by registered doctors and nurses.

Sir Liam said he intended for standards to be made as high in private cosmetic clinics as in any other surgery.

Back

Related news stories

If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to this story, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in this area.

If you have any comments in relation to this story, please use the online discussion forum.

This news section contains stories of interest to our clients from publicly available news sources. Where we are representing the clients referred to in the news material we will say so. Where we do not represent individuals or bodies mentioned or quoted, the inclusion of the news story in our news section is not intended nor should it be taken to imply that we act for the individual or body concerned.