Spain Tightens Rules for Cosmetic Surgery
Why this is here: The decree was prompted by the 2023 death of a patient who underwent a procedure performed by an unqualified doctor, leading to calls for stricter regulations to protect patients.
Spain’s Ministry of Health approved a decree limiting who can perform cosmetic surgeries. The new rules aim to end unauthorized practice within the medical field.
The decree requires cosmetic operations to be performed only by specialists with proper training. Healthcare centers have six months to verify staff qualifications match their positions. This initiative follows a 2024 ministerial order intended to curb widespread unauthorized practice and protect patients.
The need for regulation arose after a 2023 incident where a woman died following liposuction by a doctor lacking the required specialty. The ministry now mandates all healthcare professionals be registered with details of their training. This ensures interventions align with their specialization levels, extending beyond cosmetic surgery to all healthcare areas.
The decree will take effect July 1st, giving centers six months to ensure staff training. Regional authorities have one year to adapt their services to updated definitions within the decree.