Breast Implant Registry
Information about the Breast Implant Registry
Overview
The Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry (BCIR) is the national registry for breast implant procedures, supporting patient safety, implant traceability and the monitoring of outcomes associated with breast implants.
Launched in 2016 following Recommendation 21 of the Keogh Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions. The BCIR covers breast implant procedures carried out in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The registry records information about breast implant and explant procedures undertaken by NHS and independent providers. It enables patients with a particular implant to be identified in the event of a product recall or other safety concern and helps support the identification of implant based trends and complications.
Who should submit data?
Surgeons undertaking breast implant surgery are encouraged to support complete and accurate submission to the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry. All providers of breast implant surgery are expected to participate, helping ensure that eligible implant, explant, revision and reconstruction procedures are recorded.
By supporting consistent and comprehensive data submission, surgeons and clinical teams can strengthen the registry’s value for patients, services and the wider understanding of breast implant practice.
For current submission requirements and access information, please refer to the NHS England BCIR website.
Resources
The following resources provide further information about the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry for patients and healthcare professionals, together with the latest published registry data.
Latest annual report
View the latest annual BCIR publication, providing data on breast implant procedures recorded by the registry.
Information for patients
An overview of the registry for patients and members of the public, including information about the purpose of the BCIR and how information is used.
Information for clinical teams
Key information for clinical teams involved in submitting information to and using the BCIR.
Previous BCIR Updates for clinical teams
A reminder that all 2024 patients need to be entered onto the BCIR by 31st January 2025 for inclusion in the 2024 annual report. It is now a mandate that all implants should be entered if performed on the NHS and strongly recommended in the independent sector. Explants should also be included. Surgeons are reminded that if they do not enter cases themselves they should be validating their cases. This is crucial as we move into looking at outcomes.
From 14 January 2019 patient consent is no longer required for their record to be added to the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry (BCIR). The BCIR Steering Group, including representatives of ABS, BAAPS and BAPRAS have agreed this change with the Department of Health and Social Care. We would like to remind colleagues that submission of records to the BCIR is mandatory for NHS funded patients and is requested for privately funded patients being treated in any provider in England.
Patients who had surgery prior to 14 January 2019 and had not previously consented can still request to have their data added to the registry. A consent form need not be completed but hospitals may wish to keep a record of the request. Historical patients who have not consented should not be added to the registry unless they subsequently request to be added.
The registry is also extending to include patients having surgery in Scotland. The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland will be informing colleagues in Scotland about this. This extension to the collection has been approved by the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel and will not require patient consent.
