---
title: Why Choosing a Regulated Surgeon for Cosmetic Procedures Could Save Your Life
description: MPS supports JCCP and BAAPS' concerns about unregulated cosmetic surgery in the North West. Learn how to verify your surgeon's credentials and stay safe.
---
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- [Consultation is Key](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/consultation-is-key/)
- [Pre-op Do's and Don'ts](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/pre-op-dos-and-donts/)
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- [Face Lift](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/face-lift-surgery/)
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- [Tummy Tuck](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/abdominoplasty/)
- [Mummy Makeover](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/mummy-makeover/)
- [Liposuction](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/liposuction/)
- [Fat grafting](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/fat-grafting/)
- [Breast](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/contact/#)
- [Breast Lift](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/mastopexy-breast-lift/)
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- [Male Breast Reduction](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/male-breast-reduction-gynecomastia/)
- [Breast Asymmetry](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/breast-asymmetry/)
- [Non-surgical](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/contact/#)
- [Anti-Wrinkle](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/anti-wrinkle-injections/)
- [Dermal Fillers](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/facial-fillers/)
- [Surgery Guide](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/contact/#)
- [Surgery Guide](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/surgery-guide/)
- [Choose your surgeon carefully](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/choose-your-surgeon-carefully/)
- [Do your research](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/do-your-research/)
- [Consultation is key](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/consultation-is-key/)
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- [pre-op dos and donts](https://www.manchesterplasticsurgery.com/pre-op-dos-and-donts/)
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POSTED 8th June 2026
# Why Choosing a Regulated Surgeon for Cosmetic Procedures Could Save Your Life
**Published by MPS | Patient Safety**
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) have recently issued an urgent joint warning to the public following serious concerns about unregulated individuals performing surgical cosmetic procedures in non-clinical settings across the North West of England.
At MPS, we welcome this intervention, and we believe this is a moment the entire profession must speak plainly about patient safety.
[Read the full JCCP and BAAPS statement here.](https://www.jccp.org.uk/NewsEvent/jccp-and-baaps-raise-urgent-concerns-over-alleged-unregulated-surgical-procedures-in-the-north-west-of-england)
## What is being alleged, and why it matters.
According to the joint statement, procedures including blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelifts, and genital surgery have been promoted at heavily discounted prices and carried out in unregulated, informal settings, in some cases with patients only being told the venue the day before.
These are not minor aesthetic treatments. These are surgical procedures that carry genuine, life-altering clinical risks.
A lower blepharoplasty alone, if performed without proper sterile conditions, appropriate anaesthetic oversight, and immediate access to emergency care, can lead to permanent vision loss as a result of undetected post-operative bleeding. Other potential consequences include serious infection, permanent disfigurement, chronic pain, and in the most extreme cases, death.
The price being advertised for these procedures is a fraction of the clinical norm. That gap in cost does not reflect a savvy deal. It reflects an absence of the infrastructure, insurance, training, and regulatory compliance that make surgery safe.
## The regulatory gap is real - and it is dangerous
What this situation exposes is a significant and well-documented vulnerability in the UK's current regulatory framework.
In England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates registered healthcare providers, but its powers are limited when individuals operate entirely outside registered settings. The General Medical Council (GMC) maintains the register of licensed doctors, but individuals who are not registered may fall outside its immediate jurisdiction unless a specific criminal offence can be identified.
Perhaps most strikingly, the word *"surgeon"* is not a protected title in the UK. Unlike "dentist," "physiotherapist," or "audiologist", terms enshrined in law, anyone can call themselves a surgeon without holding a single relevant qualification. [BAAPS](https://baaps.org.uk/), with the support of [BAPRAS](https://www.bapras.org.uk/), is actively campaigning to change this, and we at MPS fully support that effort.
Social media is further compounding the problem. Platforms such as TikTok allow invasive surgical services to be marketed through closed referral networks and direct messaging, often with limited transparency and no meaningful verification of practitioner credentials.
## What to ask before undergoing any cosmetic surgical procedure
The JCCP and BAAPS have set out clear guidance for members of the public, and we echo it in full. Before agreeing to any cosmetic surgical procedure, you should:
- Verify GMC registration
Check the practitioner is listed on the [General Medical Council register](https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register). This is non-negotiable for anyone performing surgery.
- Confirm surgical training
Ask specifically about their surgical qualifications and which Royal College has accredited them.
- Check the premises
Surgical procedures must take place in premises registered with the Care Quality Commission. You can [search registered providers here](https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/find-hospital).
- Ask about indemnity insurance
Any properly qualified practitioner will hold appropriate medical indemnity. If they cannot confirm this, walk away.
- Scrutinise the price
Basic blepharoplasty pricing begins at around £2,000. Prices significantly below this should be treated as a warning sign, not an opportunity.
- Be cautious of social media promotion alone
A large following or a polished video is not evidence of competence, qualification, or safety.
- Check the JCCP register
You can search for registered cosmetic practitioners at [jccp.org.uk](https://www.jccp.org.uk/MemberSearch).
## Our position at MPS
Our surgeons operate within fully regulated, CQC-compliant environments at The Pines, Electiva Hospital. Every procedure is carried out by experienced surgeons who hold recognised qualifications, are registered with the GMC & BAAPS and maintain the professional indemnity and ongoing revalidation requirements demanded by their regulatory bodies.
We believe patients deserve, and have the right to expect, complete transparency about who is treating them, where, and with what qualifications.
The cosmetic surgery sector has long faced challenges around public perception and regulatory oversight. Cases such as the one highlighted here are a reminder of the very real consequences when those safeguards are absent.
If you have any questions about our practitioners, our facilities, or how we meet our regulatory obligations, we encourage you to ask us directly. Transparency is not just something we offer, it is something we insist upon.
*For further guidance on cosmetic surgery safety, visit [BAAPS.org.uk](https://baaps.org.uk/patients/procedures) and the [JCCP public information pages](https://www.jccp.org.uk/ThePublic).*
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