Leading plastic surgeons called for tighter regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry this week, deeming it to be an under-regulated “wild west”.

The surgeons are members of the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), and perform cosmetic surgeries both in the NHS and at leading private hospitals.

Members of the association believed that adverts for cosmetic procedures, which feature in the tabloids and in women’s magazines, should be banned.

BAAPS president Fazal Fatah said, “Over the last decade the BAAPS has worked tirelessly to educate the public on the many aggressive marketing gimmicks that not only trivialise surgery but endanger the patient”.

“We have warned against the unrealistic expectations set by reality ‘makeover’ shows and against crass competition prizes promising ‘mummy makeovers’ and body overhauls.

Specialist international medical insurance provider ALC Health has launched a new standalone international health insurance plan under its ‘medmedia’ brand, which has been created for people working in the music industry, media and performing arts.

With an annual limit of £2,000,000 and including as standard a range of comprehensive cover benefits, including hospital accommodation and specialist care, family doctor services and nursing, dental treatment, chronic illness care, health screening, optical care and emergency medical evacuation cover, medmedia is available to both global expatriates and local nationals (living and working across the EU, including the UK) who are looking for a comprehensive package of medical insurance benefits which can be used both at home and overseas.

New for 2011, international private medical insurer InterGlobal is introducing the UltraCare Elite Plan, which offers a number of additional benefits, including enhanced cover for cancer care.

The 2011 Elite plan includes payment for all cancer treatment up to the member’s annual benefit limit of £2million, $3.4million or €3million. It also provides increased limits for complementary medicine, new cover for annual dental checkups, and cover for psychotherapy treatment.

Says Paul Weigall, head of sales and marketing at InterGlobal, “The treatment of cancer has improved dramatically in recent years, with many people now cured or surviving far longer once their condition has become chronic.

“Many international private medical plans impose lifetime benefit limits for the treatment of chronic or terminal cancer conditions. These limits can sometimes be reached in the treatment of chronic cancer conditions, leaving members exposed to medical bills when they can least cope with them.

“The Elite plan now strips away all terminal and chronic benefit lifetime limits and provides cover for treatment in full, up to the annual benefit limit of £2million, $3.4million or €3million for every year of cover. We also offer a broad range of cancer care benefits, with terminal and chronic benefit lifetime limits, across the rest of our plan range."

InterGlobal has also simplified and rewritten all its documentation, to make its plans easier to understand.

For further information, see www.interglobalpmi.com

While the majority of expats have found wealth and happiness since moving abroad, it seems the grass isn’t always greener for health. Almost half (44%) of expatriates believe the standard of healthcare is worse in their new country, according to a survey by expatriate health insurer Bupa International. In fact, one in five – equivalent to around 38 million expats worldwide – believe that that their health has deteriorated since moving abroad.

The research also shows that one in five expats say they would rather be treated outside their country of origin or current residence if they fell seriously ill. The countries topping the table of where people would most like to be treated given the choice are Singapore (23%), followed by the USA (15%) South Africa (10%) and the UK (10%).

Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International, said, “These findings are very interesting – while Singapore is seen to have the best healthcare by nearly a quarter of expats, the truth is that, while there are many excellent hospitals in Singapore, the quality of healthcare available there varies, as it does in every country around the world. Therefore, it’s very important to have access to expert medical advice when living abroad, to be sure that you are going to be directed to the most appropriate facilities, whichever country you’re in.

“For example, we recently helped a customer who was involved in a severe accident in the Bahamas, evacuating him by air ambulance to the nearest centre of medical excellence in Miami for emergency treatment.”

For more information about Bupa International, visit www.bupa-intl.com

If you’re considering buying medicine – perhaps because you’re living overseas and don’t have access to NHS services – it’s vital to be aware of the dangers posed by counterfeit medicines, as Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director of Bupa International, explains.

Counterfeit medicines are illegal, immoral and, in some cases, dangerous. Today, more people than ever put their health at risk by purchasing them.

Healthcare provider MediCare International has released the results of an online poll conducted between January and May 2010, which asked those enquiring about global healthcare policies whether they were considering a move abroad to escape the recession. 69% replied that they were.

The global recession has made it harder for professionals to find jobs at home, or in their current country of residence. As a result, there is a steadily increasing stream of expatriates of all nationalities worldwide, with over 100,000 leaving the UK alone to add to this pool, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research. Globalisation has led people to look for work opportunities overseas during a general downturn, as well as when times are more buoyant.