HC Deb 12 June 1995 vol 261 cc361-2W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of cosmetic surgery operations that are currently carried out by NHS plastic surgeons are performed to correct previous cosmetic surgery performed in the private sector; [28174]

(2) what is the annual cost to the national health service of cosmetic treatment and surgery in the last three years. [28180]

Mr. Sackville

This information is not available centrally.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints her Department has received related to liposuction surgery in the last year. [28178]

Mr. Sackville

Five.

Mrs Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to regulate private cosmetic surgery clinics. [28177]

Mr. Sackville

All private clinics where surgical procedures are carried out under anaesthesia are required to register with the local health authority under the Nursing Homes Act 1975. They have to satisfy requirements as to the facilities and the level and qualifications of staff. There are no plans further to regulate private cosmetic surgery clinics.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate she has made of the number of people who undergo cosmetic surgery each year; and what percentage of this number takes place in the private sector. [28181]

(2)what percentage of plastic surgery performed by the NHS is for cosmetic purposes. [28175]

Mr. Sackville

Data available do not distinguish cosmetic surgery from other plastic surgery procedures.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints her Department has received related to cosmetic surgery in the last two years. [28179]

Mr. Sackville

Thirty-six.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received on the regulation of cosmetic surgery in the private sector. [28176]

Mr. Sackville

Nine written representations in the last two years.