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<p>Providers of laser eye surgery are required to register with the Care Quality Commission
(CQC), as this is a regulated activity. All providers of regulated activities under
the Health and Social Care Act 2008 must be registered with the CQC and meet the fundamental
standards of safety and quality. The CQC has a range of enforcement actions that it
can take if providers do not meet the fundamental standards. CQC inspectors take into
account best practice and recognised guidelines, when undertaking inspections of providers.</p><p>
</p><p>The Department is consulting on extending the scope of CQC’s provider ratings
to include providers of laser eye surgery. Ratings will give the public with clarity
about how well these providers are performing above and beyond compliance with the
requirements of the regulations.</p><p> </p><p>Doctors performing laser eye surgery
in the United Kingdom must also be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
All registered doctors are expected to be familiar with the GMC’s publication <em>Good
medical practice </em>and supporting guidance, which describes what is expected of
them. This document makes clear that medical doctors must recognise and work within
the limits of their competence.</p><p> </p><p>Following a review of the cosmetic industry
in England by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, the GMC has produced guidance for doctors
that carry out cosmetic procedures and this also applies to refractive eye surgery.
The new GMC guidance covers both surgical (such as laser eye surgery) and non-surgical
procedures.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In addition, as the professional body for
setting the standards of practice for refractive procedures, the Royal College of
Ophthalmologists are leading on work to improve the delivery, safety and standards
for patient information for laser eye surgery.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The
GMC expect a doctor to be up to date with the latest medical guidance, including any
new guidance published by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists on laser eye surgery.</p>
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