GMC publishes draft guidance for doctors who carry out cosmetic procedures

The GMC today published new draft guidance for doctors who carry out any type of cosmetic procedure. The public and doctors have an opportunity to comment on these draft guidelines which are out for consultation until 1st September, 2015.

Commenting on the guidelines, Mr David Ward, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:
 
“We welcome this draft guidance from the GMC because it is explicit that doctors should work within the limits of their competence when carrying out any type of cosmetic procedure. It also covers important ethical issues around patient consent, continuity of care and responsible marketing.
 
“Only surgeons with the appropriate training and experience should be allowed to perform cosmetic surgery. This is why we are producing new standards of training and a certification system for surgeons wishing to perform cosmetic surgery. We also plan to publish additional guidance, specifically for cosmetic surgery, which will accompany the GMC’s document.”

• The GMC’s consultation will run from today (8 June 2015) to 1 September 2015 and is  available on the GMC’s website here: http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/news_consultation/27171.asp