Government intends to Regulate UK Aesthetics
The Government has made clear its intention to regulate UK aesthetics via the new Health and Care Act 2022. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Harley Academy support this intention.
Whilst the specifics are still to be ironed out, a new mandatory licensing system for non-surgical aesthetic treatments is in the planning stages. The final details are subject to a consultation process following which the standards and requirements for this new licensing of UK aesthetics practitioners – and their premises – will be resolved.
MEETING THE PRIME MINISTER OF STATE FOR PATIENT SAFETY AND PRIMARY CARE
The JCCP has made an announcement setting out this licensing confirmation following a meeting with the Minister of State for Patient Safety and Primary Care, the Right Honourable Maria Caulfield.
Recommendations for how to regulate aesthetics sector in England was roundly discussed during this Conservative Health Group meeting on 14 June at the House of Commons. It included recapping on the JCCP’s 10 Point Plan of proposals for improving patient safety in the sector.
The JCCP further advises in a press release dated 7 July 2022, that “Tamara Sandoul from the CIEH also alerted the Minister to key issues relating to regulatory changes required to ensure the enactment of a pragmatic approach to licensing.”
Prof. David Sines CBE, Chair of the JCCP, welcomed the Minister’s confirmation of the new provisions for regulation included in the Health and Care Act, 2022. He noted that
“The JCCP will continue to call for other additional measures to supplement the proposed licensing system.”
These measures are set out below.
AESTHETICS LICENSING AND ADDITIONAL DESIRED REGULATORY MEASURES
The JCCP calls for…
“The need for extended powers to be given to the CQC to inspect all premises where invasive procedures that are included in the licence are to be performed.”
“Minister Maria Caulfield MP is requested to seek an assurance that the CQC will develop a memorandum of understanding with local authority licensing organisations to perform an integrated and enhanced scheme of regulation for aesthetics to avoid duplication for those healthcare professionals who are already registered with the CQC.”
“The implementation of a national register of approved qualifications and of approved education and training providers.”
Consideration of “whether the PSA could be given extended powers to oversee registers of approved education and training providers and qualifications in the sector in addition to their current statutory function of overseeing practitioner registers.”
“Ofqual to be requested to ensure that they only approve qualifications in the future that meet the new Government standard for education and training for the aesthetics sector.”
“Dermal fillers to become a prescription only device – to be agreed with the MHRA.”
“The Minister to be requested to write to all Professional Regulatory Bodies who have responsibility for prescribing to seek assurance that they will enforce guidance to ensure that all prescribers do not perform remote prescribing in the aesthetics sector.”
“A Government enforced system of annual data collection on types of aesthetic treatments,
numbers of practitioners, premises, training courses and complications to inform the evidence base of a robust system of public protection in the UK.”
“National, mandatory education and training standards for all practitioners who practise in the industry.”
“The legal enforcement of the requirement for all practitioners to have an appropriate level of medical indemnity insurance and to provide a transparent redress scheme for service users.
“National scrutiny and action to prevent the promotion through social media of unsafe, unethical and exaggerated messaging about products, education, training and aesthetic service provision.”
OUR RESPONSE TO THIS AESTHETICS LICENSING CONFIRMATION
Harley Academy exists to champion patient safety through delivering the most structured and robust aesthetic medicine training available for healthcare professionals.
We have pioneered the highest standards for safe aesthetic practice through in-depth theoretical and practical injectables training since 2015, through creating and launching the first ever Ofqual-regulated and JCCP-approved Level 7 qualification in aesthetics – a qualification that remains the industry’s gold standard in postgraduate aesthetics training to this day.
Our founder, Dr Tristan Mehta (pictured) said of the JCCP’s announcement, “This confirmation is a welcome and necessary step in the road to tackling regulating non-surgical aesthetics in the UK.
“With licensing of aesthetics practitioners and their premises becoming a legal requirement, establishing a minimum educational requirement will become key.
“As such, we will be expanding the number of places available on our Fast Track Level 7 Diploma courses for experienced practitioners wishing to formalise their training with a recognised and widely-respected qualification.
“We are working with the JCCP to provide access to appropriate professional pathways to ensure healthcare professionals are able to meet the licensing requirements in time for them to be enforced.
“Training healthcare professionals to the highest possible standard in aesthetic medicine is something I, personally, and Harley Academy as a business, are passionate about. We have been leading the education side of promoting safe aesthetic practice since our inception and look forward to continuing to champion innovative routes into aesthetic medicine for healthcare professionals as we navigate the forthcoming consultation period and new licensing requirements.”
To find out more about our industry-leading Level 7 Diploma in Botox & Dermal Filler and our Fast Track Level 7 Diploma options, contact our courses advisor, Christine, today. You can book a call with her now for whenever is most convenient.
Alternatively, join us in person or online via livestream for our upcoming free Aesthetics Careers Open Day to learn more.
All information correct at the time of publication.
