22 December 2005

Vital information for people considering cosmetic surgery is now available online.

The government has launched a new website in an effort to provide greater regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry and ensure high standards are maintained.

The website has been created around the recommendations made by a group of experts led by Harry Cayton, the director of patients and the public at the Department of Health.

The group strongly advised that patients needed to have access to detailed and accredited advice of cosmetic surgery.

It added that people need to know what standards they should expect from practices and what questions are essential to ask before heading to the operating table.

"Good public information on cosmetic surgery is essential. People need help and support to make informed choices about whether to have cosmetic surgery or a non-surgical cosmetic treatment," said chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.

"Well informed patients can help to drive up standards among providers in a field of healthcare where there have been concerns," he added.

The website also offers a complete list of all available cosmetic procedures and what the treatment involves as well as questions to ask yourself about why you are considering cosmetic surgery in the first place.

© Adfero Ltd

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