Check two things separately: the clinic and the person who will operate. For a UK clinic, look for the clinic on its national health regulator's register and the doctor on the General Medical Council register. For a clinic abroad, you will need to verify the doctor's licence with the authority in that country. Do not rely on logos or certificates on the clinic's own website.
Checking a clinic in the UK
Health services are regulated separately in each nation. In England the Care Quality Commission (CQC) registers providers, and its public pages list the regulated activities a provider is registered for. A CQC registration page for a UK hair transplant provider, for example, shows a single regulated activity, surgical procedures, along with the provider name and a named responsible person. That is the kind of detail to look for.
| Nation | Body that registers or inspects independent clinics |
|---|---|
| England | Care Quality Commission (CQC) |
| Scotland | Healthcare Improvement Scotland |
| Wales | Healthcare Inspectorate Wales |
| Northern Ireland | Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) |
Search the regulator's own site for the clinic's exact registered name, which may differ from its trading name. Check the services it is registered to provide and the address match what you were told.
Checking the surgeon
- Ask for the doctor's full name and registration number before you book.
- For UK doctors, search the General Medical Council register and note any restrictions on practice.
- Ask who actually performs each step. TravelHealthPro advises speaking directly with the treating professional, ideally before travelling.
- Check professional membership claims, for example with the society named, such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, which has a find a doctor tool. Membership is not a guarantee of results.
Checking a clinic abroad
UK regulators do not oversee clinics overseas, and a UK CQC check will not apply. TravelHealthPro advises verifying the provider's qualifications independently, requesting references, asking to see the clinic and satisfying yourself about hygiene, safety and indemnity insurance. It also notes that accreditation does not guarantee a good outcome.
In Turkey, ask the clinic what licence it holds and what licence the named doctor holds, then confirm both with the relevant Turkish authority or the doctor's professional body. We have not verified the current register details here, so ask the clinic for the exact body and check it yourself.
Red flags and next steps
- The clinic will not name the surgeon, or the name cannot be found on any register.
- You are given medical advice only by a salesperson.
- Registration claims cannot be checked, or the clinic hesitates when asked.
- No written contract, or no clear aftercare plan.
What registration does and does not tell you
Being on a regulator's register means a provider has met the requirements for its registered activities at the time. It does not guarantee the result of a particular operation, and a registered clinic can still have a poor outcome. Registration is a minimum standard to check, alongside the surgeon's experience, your own consultation and the clinic's record of aftercare.
It can help to read inspection reports where they are published, and to check whether the registration relates to the location where you will be treated. A provider may have more than one site, and registration applies to named locations.
A short checklist
- Write down the clinic's full legal name, its trading name and the address where the operation will take place.
- Find the clinic on the national regulator's register, or confirm with the foreign authority.
- Ask for the doctor's name and registration number and check it independently.
- Compare what the clinic told you with what the register shows.
- Get the key points confirmed in a written contract before you pay.
If you cannot verify a claim, do not assume it is true. Ask the clinic to explain how you can check it yourself.
What to do if you find a problem
If a clinic or doctor you were planning to use cannot be found on a register, or the details do not match, do not pay a deposit. Ask the clinic to explain the discrepancy in writing. If the answer does not satisfy you, walk away. If you already had treatment and are worried about the standard of care, speak to your GP about follow-up, keep all records and photos, and consider raising a complaint with the clinic and, where it applies, the relevant regulator.
Concerns about a doctor registered in the UK can be raised with the General Medical Council. For treatment abroad, complaints routes depend on that country, which is one more reason to check before you travel.
If something goes wrong, you may need follow-up in the UK, and the NHS may end up treating complications. Speak to your GP before you book. Use the question checklist alongside this page, and read hair transplants in Turkey for the cost and package side.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I check an English clinic?
On the Care Quality Commission website, searching the clinic's exact registered name and the regulated activities it holds.
How do I check a UK surgeon?
Search the General Medical Council register using the doctor's full name or registration number.
Can I check a clinic abroad with a UK regulator?
No. Verify the clinic and doctor with the authority in that country and ask for references, as TravelHealthPro advises.
Does accreditation guarantee a good result?
No. TravelHealthPro notes accreditation does not guarantee a good outcome.