BACS British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons

Cosmetic surgery is a relatively new surgical speciality in the UK and is not readily available in the National Health Service (NHS). Until quite recently frowned upon by many medical practitioners who regarded cosmetic surgery as being unnecessary and frivolous. Because there was little to offer in the way of surgical expertise in cosmetic surgery in the late seventies and early eighties in the UK, a group of surgeons from various surgical specialities, inaugurated the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons (BACS) in 1980. What united them was their interest in cosmetic surgery as a speciality in its own right. The British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons was therefore established to promote the study and practice of cosmetic surgery and to act as a forum for the interchange of information and ideas among its members and to promote and maintain the highest standards in this speciality. The Association has a defined Constitution as well as a strict Code of Practice, which all members must abide by at all times. In recent years the Association has opened its membership to include Associate Members. Associate Members are qualified medical practitioners but do not necessarily hold the same qualifications as Full Members. These practitioners engage in the regular practice of cosmetic procedures. Such procedures are often less complex than those performed by full members, e.g. Hair Transplants, Laser Skin surgery and Thread Vein Treatment. The Association holds regular clinical meetings and encourages members to travel widely to attend seminars and conferences to keep up to date with progress in this speciality. All surgeons have to audit their work and undergo regular revalidation under the auspices of the General Medical Council and Royal Colleges.