A new drive has been launched to improve the take up of a nationwide registry of breast implant patients.
Nearly 60,000 patients are currently on the registry, established after a series of scandals involving cosmetic surgery.
Now NHS Digital is calling for more patients to be added to a nationwide registry to safeguard their health.
The NHS Digital Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry was established in 2016 and since then 56,690 patients have been added. It covers England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Details of their implant surgery, whether NHS or private, are held in the registry so these patients can be traced if their implants are affected by safety concerns.
Mr Lee Martin, NHS breast surgeon and Chair of the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry Steering Group, said: “It is pleasing to see that the number of submissions to the registry has increased steadily over the past five years and now includes information from almost 60,000 patients.
“We want all patients – past and present – to be aware that the registry exists and ensure they are included by speaking to their surgeons.
"As a surgeon, I know first-hand the importance of patient information being included on the registry – it’s crucial in providing good patient care and provides patients with assurance that they will be followed up with if there are issues with their breast implants in the future.”
Patients who are not on the registry can contact their surgeon to ask for their details to be added.
Alison Lattimer, a patient representative on the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry Steering Group, commented: “As someone who has undergone reconstruction surgery myself, following breast cancer, I understand just how crucial the registry is in protecting the future health of those undergoing breast implant surgery."
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