Government teams up with TikTok influencers over cosmetic surgery warnings
New government campaign to tackle medical tourism
- The UK government is launching a campaign in partnership with TikTok and social media influencers to highlight the risks associated with travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures, such as hair transplants and dental work.
- The initiative aims to help individuals make more informed choices, advising them to consult a UK doctor before undergoing procedures overseas and to avoid package holidays that include medical treatments.
- Medical influencers will create videos detailing potential dangers and provide a checklist for patients to verify surgeon credentials, clinic regulations, and aftercare arrangements.
- This campaign forms part of a wider government drive to tackle 'medical tourism' and prevent the NHS from bearing the cost of complications arising from procedures performed abroad.
- Ministers are also introducing new regulations to curb 'cowboy' cosmetic procedures, including requiring high-risk treatments to be performed by suitably qualified and CQC-regulated health workers, and mandating licences for Botox and filler clinics.