Surgery controls may not stem rising claims

The government's shake-up of the cosmetic surgery industry may not stem the rising number of medical negligence claims against plastic surgeons, the Medical Defence Union has warned.

The government is to introduce tighter regulations of the private cosmetic surgery industry, following warnings that some parts of the private sector remain unregulated.

Dr Stephen Green, head of risk management at the Medical Defence Union, which arranges indemnity cover for UK doctors, said dissatisfaction with the results of the surgery was the most common reason for bringing a claim. "Only a small number of claims arise from poor technique."

But he added that protections such as mandatory cooling-off periods for clients could help to reduce claims.