Government response to Keogh Review: the impact for salons
Providers of aesthetic treatments must “raise their game or face the consequences”. That was the message from the Government as it published its long-awaited Response to the Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions.
However, the consensus from industry is that the report does not go far enough to weed out poorly trained practitioners or protect consumers.
The Government response to the review included the agreement that dermal fillers should be reclassified as prescription-only medical devices, meaning tighter controls for salons offering these treatments.
The Government also confirmed there will not be a new compulsory register for practitioners, meaning regulation will be left to voluntary schemes, such as cdBAFI and Treatments You Can Trust.
However, Carolyne Cross, chair of beauty association Babtac said this decision “makes a mockery of professionals who believe in high standards by continuing to enable ‘cowboy’ traders”.
Another key recommendation of the Keogh Review, which was completed in April 2013 following the scandal surrounding PIP breast implants, was for an overhaul of the qualifications needed to perform non-surgical cosmetic treatments, particularly injectables.
The new report confirmed the Government’s commitment to a review of the qualifications required but said this work will be completed by the end of April 2014. The report suggested that non-medics, such as beauty therapists, should require “supervision” to perform injectable treatments. However, it is unclear whether that will involve direct supervision by a doctor during treatment.
Dr Dan Poulter MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, said, “There are examples of high quality surgical and non-surgical cosmetic interventions provided by trained staff to high standards of care and satisfaction. It is these high standards that should be universal, so that patients, who expect and deserve the highest quality, can be sure to know that they are always getting it.”
