Call for cosmetic surgery laws

STRICT new laws must be introduced to force Ireland’s €30 million cosmetic surgery industry to protect patients at risk of marketing ploys, punitive cancellation polices and clinics with little or no emergency supports.

A detailed document drawn up by a leading surgeon and sent to the Department of Health has warned that without a series of changes in how the lucrative sector works, the safety of Irish patients will continue to be put at risk.

The White Paper document, Towards a safer, more regulated environment in cosmetic surgery services – written by consultant plastic surgeon and medical director of the private River Medical Group, Dr Labros Chatzis – has claimed some patients are being bullied into agreeing to unnecessary surgery.