What is the registry?
NHS Scotland joined the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry (BCIR) to help improve the services offered to people with an implant.
Who runs the registry?
The registry is run by NHS Digital. NHS Digital is the national information and technology partner to the health and care system in England.
NHS Digital takes its responsibility for looking after information very seriously. It follows the legal rules, guidance and practices known as Information Governance for both:
- collection of the registry data
- IT systems
The BCIR has the details of breast implant procedures in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It covers NHS and independent providers.
Read further information from NHS Digital about the BCIR
There is no information on cosmetic implants apart from breast implants at this time.
NHS Digital is supported by cosmetic and surgical professional groups. These professional groups make sure experts, doctors and patients are involved.
Scotland joined the registry in 2019.
Why did Scotland join the BCIR?
The Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group found that it would benefit Scotland to join the registry. They made an agreement with NHS Digital on the safe and secure management of patient information.
Scotland’s NHS hospitals are included in the registry. Independent hospitals are joining as soon as possible.
How it works
The registry has been set up to improve the data on the safety of breast implants.
The registry:
- records all implant procedures
- looks at implant information to see if there are safety issues with a type of implant
The registry means that patients can be quickly and accurately contacted if there is a recall.
Product recall
Very rarely, breast and cosmetic implant products may be recalled.
Read further information about breast and cosmetic implant product recall
Does my hospital need to participate?
NHS Scotland must keep records safely and effectively. Information is held in line with this. So the relevant data for all patients who receive an implant will be added to the registry. There is no opt out because the registry is part of keeping patients safe and usual clinical care.
Last updated:
31 January 2023