Clinical negligence cases against plastic surgeons rising

Posted 09/01/2012

The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has noted there has been a rise in the number of clinical negligence cases being brought against plastic surgeons.Research by the body has found there has been an increase in malpractice lawsuits and 80 per cent of these are as a result of operations such as breast surgery, facelifts, eyelid operations, nose reductions and weight-loss procedures, reports the Guardian.According to the MDU, the increase in clinical negligence cases being launched is due to “a huge rise in both the number of procedures and patient expectations of a perfect outcome”.Dr Clare Gerada, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said regulation is needed so patients are protected if their operations do not go as planned.Dr Adrian Rogers, a GP and medico-legal specialist, recently told the Independent he is expecting a rise in the number of clinical negligence cases being brought by patients who were given antidepressants.Samantha Collins, a medical injury solicitor at Ashtons Legal, adds: “There is a growing problem with patients’ expectations of cosmetic procedures. With the trivialisation of cosmetic procedures through television and the influence advertising promising to make people ‘beautiful’ along with the patient’s own perceptions, there is little option but for the patient to feel disappointed with the result.”She said: “Greater regulation is required to ensure a good consultation process is adopted, taking the time to assess and counsel properly those seeking cosmetic surgery and manage expectations appropriately. Regulations need to be in place to ensure providers are using surgeons appropriately experienced in the treatments they are offering and providing an adequate level of care both pre and post surgery. Only then can we begin to tackle this rise in cosmetic surgery litigation.”