Surgery review welcomed by Blackburn Rovers legend Colin Hendry's family (From Blackburn Citizen)

Surgery review welcomed by Blackburn Rovers legend Colin Hendry's family

6:30pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Blackburn By Jessica Cree, Education reporter

A MAJOR review into cosmetic surgery has been welcomed by campaigner and Blackburn Rovers legend Colin Hendry and his family The government inquiry is being launched in light of the PIP scandal.

Hendry's wife Denise, 43, died in 2009 after a series of mistakes made during cosmetic surgery procedures. Since then he and his family have campaigned for better regulation.

Daughter Rheagan Hendry said: “My mother was not made aware of the risks. If she had been she may still have been here. There are some plastic surgeons who are just interested in making a sale.”

NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh, who will lead the inquiry, said he fears many people do not realise such procedures can have lifelong implications.

The review was requested by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley after concerns about cosmetic surgery were raised following the public outcry over faulty PIP breast implants and could lead to tighter regulation of the industry.

Sir Bruce said: “The recent problems with PIP breast implants have shone a light on the cosmetic surgery industry. Many questions have been raised, particularly around the regulation of clinics, whether all practitioners are adequately qualified, how well people are advised when money is changing hands, aggressive marketing techniques, and what prot- ection is available when things go wrong...

“That’s why I have put together this review committee to advise me in making recommendations to Government on how we can better protect people who choose to have surgery or cosmetic interventions.”

An expert panel, including PIP campaigner Catherine Kydd, former medical director of Bupa Andrew Vallance-Owen and editor of Marie Claire magazine Trish Halpin, will gather evidence before making recommendations to the Government next March.

Members of the public are also being asked to share their experiences of cosmetic surgery and views on issues.

Mr Lansley has specifically asked the review to consider implementing a national implant register, for products such as breast implants, to identify all those who received the product and details of their operation.

Fazel Fatah, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), said: “We are delighted that the review is now under way.

“The BAAPS has been campaigning for many years for better regulations of the cosmetic surgery sector to protect patients.”