The recent amendment to the Health and Care Act 2022, brought forth by the government, marks a crucial step towards consumer safety in the realm of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been granted the authority to establish a licensing scheme in England for this burgeoning sector. The primary aim is to ensure that consumers are confident in the quality and safety of the treatments they receive.

In this blog post, we will delve into the specifics of the proposed licensing scheme and discuss the various matters up for public consultation. Your views are essential in shaping a framework that is both robust and reflective of public needs and expectations.

Proposed licensing scheme

Treatment types

The first matter open for discussion is the types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures that should be incorporated within the licensing scheme. These could range from dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections to non-surgical facelifts and laser treatments. The objective is to determine which treatments carry enough risk to warrant oversight and regulatory compliance.

Qualified practitioners

Another critical point of consultation is whether certain procedures should only be executed by qualified and regulated healthcare professionals or under their direct clinical supervision. This restriction could serve as an additional layer of assurance for consumer safety, ensuring that the practitioners are adequately trained and capable of managing any complications that may arise.

CQC-registered providers

The consultation also seeks opinions on whether procedures permitted exclusively for qualified and regulated healthcare professionals should only be conducted by Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered providers. This would add an extra layer of verification, ensuring that the premises and staff comply with stringent healthcare standards.