In 2022, after efforts by campaigners and myself, the Government amended its Health and Care Act to give itself the power to bring into force a national licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.
I am pleased that a consultation on such a scheme has now been launched.
The consultation is open until 28 October 2023 and I encourage all those who have campaigned on this issue to submit their views here:
https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/64e370c657345835ff0a5f8d
The consultation is specifically seeking views on:
- The types of treatments to be included within the licensing scheme
- Whether any procedures should be carried out only either by qualified and regulated healthcare professionals or under their clinical oversight
- Whether procedures permitted to be carried out only by qualified and regulated healthcare professionals should only be carried out by Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered providers
- Whether potential age restrictions should be imposed on those receiving specified procedures, in line with age restrictions on botulinum toxin injections, cosmetic fillers, tattoos, teeth whitening and sunbed use.
You can find out more about the consultation here:
This consultation is a vital step towards implementing a national licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.
The proposed licencing scheme will ensure licences to perform specified procedures will be issued only to those practitioners who can evidence that they have the skills and knowledge to perform these procedures safely and from a suitable premises. The licensing scheme will have the power to prevent those who fail to meet these standards from operating.
After the consultation, the next step will be for the Department of Health and Social Care to work with expert groups on the elements that will underpin the licensing scheme, including education and training standards, insurance, infection control and hygiene qualifications and a fees model.
It is vital that such a scheme is future-proofed so that new and emerging treatments are covered. Submissions to the consultation will be an important part that and I would encourage anyone with an interest in this area to do so.