By Helen Burchell BBC News, Norfolk 20 November 2023
Updated November 21, 2023
Image credit Natasha Kerr
image captionMelissa Kerr’s family said they wanted others to avoid “cosmetic tourism” after her death
The British government has announced it will meet Turkish officials to discuss regulations on medical and beauty tourism following several deaths.
Melissa Kerr, 31, died in 2019 during a buttock enlargement (Brazilian butt lift) surgery at the private Medicana Kadikoy Hospital in Istanbul.
The coroner expressed concern that she and others were not given enough information before traveling abroad.
Health Minister Maria Caulfield said the government was taking the issue “seriously”.
In a response to a report written by Norfolk’s chief coroner, Jacqueline Lake, on preventing future deaths, Ms Caulfield said officials from the Department of Health and Social Care were “soon to travel to Turkey to meet with relevant stakeholders”. I will visit.”
Image credit Natasha Kerr
image captionMelissa Kerr died in 2019 while undergoing cosmetic surgery in a Turkish hospital
The inquest was told BBL surgery was the riskiest of all cosmetic surgeries.
Mr Lake ruled that Mr Kerr had not been given sufficient information to make a safe decision, adding: “The risk to the public who continues to travel abroad for such procedures continues… and I “We believe that future deaths can be prevented in some way.” Provide better information. ”
Ms Caulfield, Conservative Party minister for mental health and women’s health strategy, expressed her “deepest condolences” to the Kerr family and said: “We must learn lessons from what happened to her to prevent future deaths. It’s extremely important.”
He said the government was aware that “testing carried out by some countries offering healthcare tourism…may not be consistent with UK regulatory standards”, but added: “Such transparency and standardization are important to reduce potential risks.”
Image credit Natasha Kerr
image captionReport on preventing future deaths has been sent to the Health Secretary to warn others about traveling to Turkey for cosmetic surgery
“It is especially important that people considering Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery are made fully aware of the risks and take the time to think through their decision before undergoing surgery.” said Ms Caulfield.
“The risk of death from BBL surgery is at least 10 times higher than from many other cosmetic surgery procedures.”
He said the government was considering how to “effectively communicate” information about the risks of international travel.
The minister said the UK government was “considering the impact of international health tourism globally and we have a strong interest in Turkey given the number of British nationals traveling to Turkey for treatment”. Stated.
Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has been contacted for comment.
A spokesperson for Medicana said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr Kerr in 2019 due to complications during a surgery at one of our hospitals in Turkey.
“We completely reject the claim that Mr Carr was provided with insufficient information to make an informed decision about the surgery he traveled to Turkey for.
“After a thorough preliminary examination, Ms. Kerr signed multiple consent forms confirming that she understood the risks, including the rare complications that led to her death.
“Medicana is committed to providing the highest standards of clinical care and patient safety. Our processes are continually reviewed and reviewed as necessary to protect the reputation and integrity of Turkish healthcare. We will continue to work with Turkish health authorities to make the necessary changes.”
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