Regulation of the refractive surgery industry
Tabled 24 November 2025 by John McDonnell
That this House notes that the General Medical Council (GMC) has, as the independent regulator for clinicians in the United Kingdom, its main role to protect, promote, and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring that doctors meet proper standards in medical practice; is alarmed at reports that it has repeatedly dismissed complaints against refractive surgeons, with only one surgeon being referred to Fitness to Practice hearings in over 10 years despite evidence that many thousands of patients have been left with irreparably damaged eyes after surgery; is dismayed at the reports that the GMC has also failed to take action against non-medically qualified practitioners illegally operating on patients eyes; and calls on the Government to introduce regulation of the refractive surgery industry.