The rising number of botched cosmetic procedures, particularly from medical tourism, has sparked concerns about patient safety and regulatory oversight in the UK.
Cosmetic surgery provider Longevita is pushing for stricter industry regulations to protect patients and reduce the financial strain on the NHS.
Increase in botched surgeries highlights urgent need for reform
The UK saw 26,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed in 2023, yet regulatory inconsistencies continue to leave patients vulnerable.
A provider of cosmetic surgery solutions, Longevita, is urging the UK Government to introduce stricter regulations to improve patient safety and curb the rising number of botched procedures.
According to Longevita, over the past three years, corrective surgeries for procedures performed abroad have increased by a staggering 94%, costing the NHS approximately £15,000 per patient.
The company also says that despite 78% of Brits expressing concern about the risks of cosmetic surgery, many remain unaware of the lack of mandatory safety regulations in place.
Calls for a government-backed registry for medical tourism providers
Kagan Seymenoglu, chief executive of Longevita, is advocating for the creation of a government-backed online registry to regulate medical tourism providers.
This proposed system, similar to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and General Medical Council (GMC) registries, would ensure that only accredited practitioners and businesses can operate.
By integrating this registry with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, unregulated businesses advertising procedures to UK consumers could be flagged, reducing patient exposure to unsafe providers.
The registry would also provide vital data to help policymakers understand the scope of medical tourism and its risks.
Financial and medical risks of unregulated procedures
The financial burden of botched cosmetic surgeries extends beyond individual patients.
Longevita says that between 2018 and 2022, 324 UK patients required corrective surgery due to complications from overseas procedures, placing increased strain on NHS resources.
The lack of specialist insurance coverage for elective procedures further exacerbates the issue, leaving patients financially and medically vulnerable.
Seymenoglu highlights the urgent need for proper coverage: "Another key issue is the lack of specialist insurance. Travel insurance only covers accidents and emergencies, not elective medical procedures.
“A global registry could help develop new policies that offer comprehensive protection, similar to domestic healthcare plans.
“This would ensure patients are not left facing unexpected medical bills and complications without support.”
UK falling behind international standards
Compared to international counterparts, Longevita believes the UK lags behind in cosmetic surgery regulation.
Countries like South Korea enforce rigorous surgeon certification, the US mandates board certification and facility accreditation, and Australia has strict informed consent laws to ensure patients fully understand the risks before proceeding with surgery.
Currently, the UK relies on voluntary accreditation, with the CQC overseeing independent clinics.
Although only registered doctors can legally perform cosmetic surgery in England, varying levels of oversight still lead to inconsistencies in standards.
The need for global regulatory cooperation
Seymenoglu warns that without intervention, the risks will continue to escalate: “The rapid growth of the cosmetic surgery industry, coupled with rising cases of botched procedures, makes regulatory reform essential.
“The UK must adopt stricter regulations and promote international cooperation to prioritise patient safety.
“Without urgent action, more patients will suffer the consequences of inconsistent practices.”
As the demand for cosmetic surgery continues to rise, experts are calling on policymakers to take immediate steps toward industry-wide reform, ensuring that safety remains the top priority for both domestic and international procedures.
