BACN proposes ban on therapists training in injectables

The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) has proposed a motion that regulated healthcare professionals should not train beauty therapists in injectables. 

At its annual conference, held on November 7–8 in Edgbaston, the association also recommended its members don't supply any prescription-only products, such as Botox, for use by therapists or other non-healthcare professionals. 

BACN said the reason was a rising number of complications associated with invasive aesthetic treatments administered by beauty therapists and non-healthcare professionals, such as non-surgical rhinoplasty, jaw and facial sculpting, lip filler and fat-dissolving injections. 

The motion reads: "The public [are] exposed to an inability to be cared for medically by this group and those training them are not accountable. The public are often subject to poorly administered treatments, [a] lack of post-treatment care, ghosting, blocking and intimidation should they complain; and the medical profession are increasingly required to pick up these cases and help, often out of goodwill and a duty of care towards the public.” 

It continues: “Let us not forget the principles of the NMC Code [of Conduct] which require us to act at all times within the patient’s best interest and be able to demonstrate our own competency for all we do, and also the competency of those we delegate to.” 

"According to the NMC [Nursing and Midwifery Council], delegation is defined as the transfer to a competent individual of the authority to perform a specific task in a specified situation. 

“The NMC have set out expectations of people on their register and that the delegation of tasks will be in the other person’s scope of practice of competence, and they fully understand what is being asked of them. 

“They must also ensure that they (whoever they delegate to) are adequately supervised and supported so they can provide safe and compassionate care, and that they meet the required standard.” 

The motion goes on to set out the BACN’s view that “a much wider knowledge and clinical acumen” is required to administer toxin and filler injections, although the actual task of injecting “at its most basic level can be taught relatively easily”. 

The proposed motion is the latest in a number of proposals from different groups to prevent therapists from performing injectables. In August last year, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) removed access for beauty therapists from its injectables register. Then this year, the injectables debate reached parliament, where parliamentary undersecretary Jackie Doyle-Price pledged to “work closely with the JCCP so we can develop hallmarks for people to look for so they can be sure they’re obtaining a treatment from a regulated practitioner.”