Breast Implant Availability on the NHS


Cosmetic Surgery Enquiry

The National Health Service (NHS) has strict guidelines that determine which cosmetic procedures they will offer funding for. Generally speaking, the NHS will not fund procedures that are being desired purely for aesthetic reasons. However, there are some rare cases in which they will provide a patient with the funding to undergo the cosmetic surgery.

If a patient is requesting the cosmetic procedure to improve their health in a physical, mental or emotional way, then it may be eligible for NHS funding. A common example of this is the wish for a breast reduction procedure if a woman is developing back troubles owing to the size of her breasts. The specific guidelines that determine your eligibility for NHS funded cosmetic surgery are set by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) in your local area.

Do I Qualify For NHS Funding?

To discover if you are entitled to breast implant finance from the NHS, you will need to attend an appointment with your GP. At this appointment you should converse the motivations as to why you want to undergo a breast implant procedure so the GP can then decide whether or not it will benefit any level of your health.

It is highly unlikely that your GP will refer you to a clinic for the surgery if you want it solely for aesthetic purposes. However, if you have lost one or both of your breasts due to a disease, such as breast cancer, or some other trauma, then there is a good chance that your GP will feel that the surgery will benefit you and will subsequently grant NHS funding. It has also been known for funding to be provided to individuals who used to suffer from an eating disorder and subsequently "lost" their breasts as well as to those who have severe self-esteem issues due to their breasts.

Whatever your reasons for wanting a breast implant, you should ensure that you visit your GP beforehand. The NHS has been known to make the odd exception and so it may be worth discussing why you want the surgery with you GP just in case. If they refuse to offer you NHS funding, they may still be able to advise you on good clinics and surgeons as well as provide you with detailed information about the risks and benefits of the procedure.

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