Professional negligence claims to soar
The number of professional negligence claims regarding botched plastic surgeries is expected to soar as more Brits opt to go under the knife.
According to a study by a market research firm, the UK's cosmetic surgery industry has grown nearly ten-fold since 2002.
And as the demand for cosmetic surgery increases, it is expected that the number of unsuccessful operations will rocket.
According to the patients' charity, Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), there has been a "significant" rise already in the number of professional negligence claims.
Peter Walsh, chief executive of the AvMA said: "There has been a definite increase in claims against cosmetic surgeons for surgery that's gone tragically wrong."
Mr Walsh said: "It is terrible but it will be something that rises significantly as the number of people choosing to have these operations continues to increase, and as awareness spreads that claims against surgeons can be pursued. This is an area crying out for better regulation."
As a result, the patients' charity is thinking of setting up a new group based on the success rates of cosmetic surgeons.
This came after the wife of Colin Hendry, former Scotland football captain, died of an infection which was developed after an operation to correct a botched cosmetic surgery.
Updated on 19/08/2009