The latest report released is trying to speed up the government to introduce licensing as soon as possible due to the negative impact the industry has on mental and physical health. We have stated below our interpretation of what the new guidelines may look like following the release published by the health and social care select committee.
Key recommendations of the health and social care select committee to the government to improve patient / client safety.
- They would like the new licensing scheme to be put in place as soon as possible and believe this should be as early as July 2023. However, we believe this will be a monumental task within this time due to the complexities of introducing a licencing scheme along with the non-surgical aesthetic industry being without any regulation for so long.
- Dermal fillers should be prescription only in line with botulinum toxin also known as botox. As it stands anyone can purchase fillers over the counter, on the internet or in a pharmacy. Fillers are made from a synthetic hyaluronic acid (a natural substance in your body). At present these are treated as cosmetics like makeup so no prescription is required although in the hands of a poorly trained person can lead to life changing injuries.
- Introduction of minimum training or qualifications within the industry, so many people are trained to a range of levels. There are no details of the minimum level of qualification at present. Some practitioners maybe unqualified but have been working for years in the industry extremely competently, will they have to seek to enhance their qualification? It is believed that it will not just be medically trained who will meet the sufficient criteria for qualification, as beauty therapists are able to perform this too. We do not feel that will change but may have to hold specific anatomy and physiology understanding.
- Creating a safety taskforce due to the number of regulators registered and operates with the professional standards authority there needs to be a co- ordinated approach to the new and existing regulation. The government must ensure there is enough resources available to all of these relevant bodies and adapt the same way of working approach to undertaking complaints, assessments and a standards criterion amongst all of these.
- When undertaking the initial consent to treatment this must include a full physical and mental health history and a 48-hour cooling off period. Practitioners will have to ensure they arrange this consent procedures prior to treatment, due to customers busy lives and how we are a timely generation this may prove a difficulty for some. Thus, causing an inability to fill last minute appointments to keep in line with this proposal.
- Prevent doctored / photoshopped images on social media when advertising. They are requesting that any images that are photoshopped carry a label to make them identifiable that these images are not natural and have been enhanced for cosmetic purposes.
- More focus on body dysmorphic disorder, diagnosis to treatment for this becoming a priority within the industry.
Further to this the JCCP (Joint Council Cosmetic Practitioners) have also asked for additional measures to be supplement these from the health and social care select committee recommendations. JCCP
- The care quality commission to have extended powers to inspect all premises of which these types of procedures are undertaken. Jeremy hunt has asked for urgent action from government to prevent procedures to be undertaken “in filthy premises”. WHERETOGLOW believe that some sort of premises licence or requirements will almost definitely come into effect. These including storage of medicines and medicine management.
- The call for a Register of persons who hold the correct training or qualifications. Not only this but a register of approved training providers alongside. Ensuring new prospective persons to the industry can gain high quality, safe and trusted qualifications which will ensure they are able to obtain a licence.
- Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations) need to ensure that any qualifications they approve meet the specific requirements of the new licencing for aesthetics. Ofqual
- The minister for governing bodies of prescribers for example NMC, GMC and GDC ensure all their prescribers meet the new licencing arrangements. Potentially ending the use of remote prescribers in the industry. We feel this will be disastrous for those who do not have access or funds for a prescriber to attend consultations face to face.
- A government enforced annual data collection to be able to see how many people are operating with a licence within the UK, training providers and complications that have arisen. This will give a deeper understanding of what is happening in this industry within the UK.
- All practitioners to have a certain level of indemnity insurance making this a mandatory requirement and easily accessed for those people seeking treatments.
In the meantime, WHERETOGLOW only advertise aesthetic providers holding the correct level of insurance and a recognise level of qualification, we only deal with trusted businesses. We aim in the coming months to ensure that directory members are supported through the transition of the licencing scheme. Become a member
We will continue to update as news is released. We aim to develop a consent form for yourselves to use to ensure that you are meeting an excellent standard prior to treatment, enabling a holistic approach to better care for your clients.
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