Cosmetic surgery could be met with new guidelines
New research reveals that the proposed European Union legislation to end free consultations for cosmetic procedures would restrict patient choice and drive up the cost of treatment.
On average, a patient considering a surgical cosmetic procedure in the UK has four consultations with a surgeon before deciding on their provider. The proposed ban on free consultations, which will force patients to pay to meet a surgeon, is likely to result in patients undertaking fewer consultations – ultimately reducing patient choice.
With patients paying an average of £158 per consultation, if the proposed EU ruling comes into force, patients would be forced to spend an additional £632 on top of the cost of their procedure. This would increase the price of the average procedure by between 15 and 20%.
Pat Dunion, Chief Operating Officer of Transform Cosmetic Surgery, said: “The proposed new EU regulation reduces patient choice and will undoubtedly result in a less well-informed patient.
“Charging people every time they meet with a surgeon will discourage patients from seeking advice from multiple sources. Transform believes patients, should they wish, have the right to seek alternative opinions without being financially penalised for doing so.
“Charging for consultations is not in the interest of patients and benefits no one except surgeons who see this as a revenue stream.
“There is a sense among many patients that if they have already committed money to speaking with a surgeon, they should proceed with an operation so as not to waste money.
“We believe all cosmetic surgery patients should be entitled to a free consultation. Without this, it becomes the preserve of the wealthy. A considered and well informed decision should not be dependent on how deep a patient’s pockets are.”
Tagged in Health Cosmetic Surgery