The Harley Medical Group
The Harley Medical Group is a private limited company with head offices based in London, England. It specialised in cosmetic surgery and skin and laser treatments in the UK. In July 2024, one month after stopping trading, the chain was acquired by Optical Express.
History
The company was founded in 1983 by Australian entrepreneur, Mel Braham. It was established as Arana Trading Company and had several other names including Cavendish Hair Clinic Limited, Harley Medical Centre Limited, Harley Medical Group Limited and THMG Limited.In 2012, The Harley Medical Group knowingly fitted breast implants which were later found to be faulty. Evidence showed that the implants could rupture and leak industrial-grade silicone into the body. The company then washed their hands of the business and carried on trading. Every other business involved in the scandal replaced the faulty implants free of charge. The National Health Service (NHS) treated nearly 900 of Harley Medical's patients who had been fitted with the defective implants. The group faced legal claims from 1,700 women who were fitted with the defective implants.
Mel Braham, the chairman of THMG at the time, gave a statement which confirmed the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had approved the PIP implants before the company used them. Many other UK clinics, including Transforming Lives, were also supplied with the faulty implants. The supplier of the implants, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), fell into liquidation in 2011.
As of July 17, 2024, The Harley Medical Group and its parent company SK:N Group have ceased trading. A month later, Optical Express acquired the chain, as well as other assets from the then parent company of THMG Limited.