Cosmetic Surgery and the Healthcare Commission
Details on cosmetic surgery procedures being brought into the regulatory framework of the Healthcare Commission. Updated May 9th 2007.
Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures
National reports on the provision of cosmetic surgery procedures have recommended additional procedures be brought into some form of regulation. These procedures include 'non-surgical' procedures using injected materials to paralyse muscles which cause wrinkles (eg Vistable®, Botox® and Dysport®) and remodelling techniques using cells or tissue i.e. cosmetic dermal fillers.
The Department of Health has asked the cosmetic surgery industry to work on improving safety in the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers.The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS) are taking the lead in setting up a self-regulatory scheme. The Healthcare Commission will be working with the IHAS to support the successful creation of an effective self-regulatory scheme.
Background
On the 28th January 2005 the Healthcare Commission launched 'An analysis of private cosmetic surgery provision in England for the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson' This was a dual launch with The Department of Health's 'Expert Group Report on the Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery'
In our Healthcare Commission Report we made a series of recommendations
- review of some of the current cosmetic procedures that are regulated
- review of the aesthetic/cosmetic procedures not currently regulated
- review of training and development for staff providing treatment for aesthetic/cosmetic procedures.
The Expert Group Report on the Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery had a wider remit to look at cosmetic surgery of which the Healthcare Commission report was just one source of information. The Expert group then provided recommendations that broadly cover the areas of:
- regulation of aesthetic services such as Botox and Cosmetic Fillers, involving the Healthcare Commission and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. (MHRA)
- patient education and information, involving consumers and other relevant bodies. The Department of Health is preparing web-based information which will be for patient and public access:
www.dh.gov.uk/cosmeticsurgery (opens new window) - development of appropriate specialist training programmes surgeons undertaking cosmetic procedures, involving professional bodies which is led by the Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialty Committee (Senate of Surgery).
For further information on these recommentations, please go to the link at the bottom of the page.
The Independent Healthcare Forum and the Royal College of Nurses are represented and involved in all of this review process.
So what is currently happening?
The Healthcare Commission will be further investigating current and emerging unregulated cosmetic and aesthetic procedures in order to keep under review the safety and quality of cosmetic services in England and making recommendations as required to the Department of Health.
Currently there is a review of Regulations and National Minimum Standards and the Healthcare Commission will be making recommendations to the Department of Health on this review. This will also be going out to public consultation next year.
In all cases it will be essential for us to work closely in partnership with professional groups, providers of cosmetic surgery services and aesthetic non-surgical procedures, consumer representatives and other stakeholders to assist with the planning and implementation of any new regulation of these types of procedures.
Once we have consulted with providers, consumers and other professional bodies we will be in a better position to give more information on how these aesthetic/cosmetic non-surgical procedures will be regulated. In order for us to regulate these areas there are also some legislative and regulatory changes that need to occur. Therefore dependent on this we would anticipate that these procedures would not come into the regulatory framework until 2007.
What does this mean for providers of non-surgical aesthetic/cosmetic procedures?
It means that you will need to register with the Healthcare Commission once the procedures come into regulation
In the interim you may wish to look at our website on how to register and read the 'Independent Healthcare National Minimum Standards and Regulations' as examples of some of the current standards. You do not need to register just yet so we are unable to process any registration right now. However we will keep you informed as more details become available.
What we will be doing is trying to tailor standards to be specific to aesthetic/cosmetic procedures so they are 'fit for purpose', that is that they are relevant and proportionate to the type of service you will be providing.
For example
- that the information provided to consumers is clear and accurate in relation to the treatment and its likely costs
- that the environment for treatment is 'fit for purpose', that is safe and appropriate for the particular treatment being given
- that treatment provided to consumers is in line with relevant clinical guidelines for that particular treatment
- that patients are fully informed of what the procedures are and any side effects or risks
- that the person providing the service has the skills and experience required and has had appropriate training commensurate with the procedure being performed
As soon as we are able to provide more information on requirements after this consultation period we will do so. So please ensure you check the website at regular intervals for updates.
If you would like to indicate your interest to be involved in any focus groups in relation to this, please contact the help desk on 0845 601 3012.
There will also be a public consultation by the Department of Health which is anticpated to be later this year (2006).
Further information: Department of Health (opens new window)
Most reports on this site are PDF files, to view any PDF file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.