Words: Rosie Wilson
The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has called to increase measures for psychological support for patients who have had reconstructive surgery.
Over 100 BAPRAS members were surveyed on patients who require sub-speciality treatments ranging from burn treatments to breast cancer reconstruction. Of those surveyed, 93% said that access to psychological care is an important part of treatment, and 64% respondents said that they saw patients who were in need of psychological support every week. 73% said that more funding needed to be put into providing psychological care, and 27% went as far to say that they felt waiting times for psychological support were currently at an unacceptable rate.
Consultant plastic surgeon and president of BAPRAS, Nigel Mercer, said:
“Our survey shows that reconstructive plastic surgeons believe timely access to psychological support is essential for their patients. The last Government prioritised talking therapies and we wish to raise awareness of the vital support psychological services provide to patients undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery, in the hope that these services will receive greater funding to help reduce significant distress to patients.”
