Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher has welcomed proposed government measures to tighten regulation of high-risk cosmetic procedures following the death of his constituent Alice Webb.
The proposals were announced by the Department of Health and Social Care last week. They are intended to tackle dangerous practices and improve patient safety, with the government now seeking views on how the new rules should work.
Dr Opher said his campaign for stronger controls began after Ms Webb died following a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift. He said the case had highlighted the risks faced by people undergoing procedures that may be offered outside a tightly regulated clinical setting.
“Since becoming an MP in July 2024, I have campaigned for tighter regulation on high-risk cosmetic procedures,” Dr Opher said.
He said the campaign was prompted by the death of his constituent.
“This campaign was sparked by the tragic death of my constituent, Alice Webb, who lost her life after undergoing a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift.”
What the proposed rules would change
Under the draft measures, people carrying out the highest-risk cosmetic procedures would have to be qualified, trained and regulated professionals. Dr Opher said that requirement would give the public greater reassurance when choosing cosmetic treatments and help patients feel more confident that they were receiving care from appropriately regulated practitioners.
The proposals would also target a loophole that has allowed practitioners to work without regulatory oversight, including from hotel rooms. The MP said the rules would prevent ill-qualified people from carrying out dangerous procedures in settings where the usual safeguards may not apply.
“The new rules will also close a dangerous loophole that has allowed ill-qualified practitioners to operate out of hotel rooms without regulatory oversight,” Dr Opher said.
Providers breaching the proposed requirements could face new criminal offences. The possible penalties include unlimited fines or fixed penalties of up to £4,000.
The measures are proposals rather than final rules. Before they progress through Parliament, the government has opened a public consultation for clinicians, businesses and members of the public. The consultation is available online through the Department of Health and Social Care website, although the supplied material does not include a direct link to the consultation.
MP urges people to respond
Dr Opher urged people to take part in the consultation, saying it was important to ensure the regulations were properly designed. He said stronger oversight was needed after what he described as a long period in which unqualified practitioners had been able to perform dangerous procedures with little scrutiny.
He described the proposals as an important step towards protecting patients and preventing another death in circumstances similar to those involving Alice Webb.
“These measures are a vital step forward in protecting patients and ensuring that what happened to Alice never happens again.”
The source report does not include a response from the Department of Health and Social Care, a timetable for the consultation or further details of when the proposed measures will be debated by Parliament.