Government to crack down on unregulated cosmetic procedures

THE public will be protected against botched Botox and fillers, as the Government confirms its intention to introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. An amendment to the Health and Care Bill that was tabled, on Tuesday, 1 March 2022, would give the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the power to introduce a licensing regime for Botox and fillers, the scope and details of which will be determined via extensive engagement including a public consultation. Although the majority of the aesthetics industry shows good practice when it comes to patient safety, this step will ensure consistent standards and protect individuals from those without licences, including from the potentially harmful physical and mental impacts of poorly performed cosmetic procedures. It is the latest move by the Government to safeguard those who access non-surgical cosmetic treatments and follows on from new legislation making it illegal to administer such treatments to under 18's, and banning adverts on all forms of media including:- social media, influencer advertising and traditional advertising for cosmetic procedures which target under 18's.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:- "While most of those in the aesthetics industry follow good practice when it comes to patient safety, far too many people have been left emotionally and physically scarred after botched cosmetic procedures. I am committed to protecting patient safety by making it an offence for someone to perform these cosmetic procedures without a licence. We're doing all we can to protect patients from potential harm, but I urge anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to take the time to think about the impact on both their physical and mental health and ensure they are using a reputable, safe and qualified practitioner."

Minister for Patient Safety Maria Caulfield said:- "The spread of images on social media has contributed to an increase in demand for cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers. While these can be administered safely, we are seeing an unacceptable rise in people being left physically and mentally scarred from poorly performed procedures. Today's amendment is the next step on the road to effective regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England."

The licensing scheme will introduce consistent standards that individuals carrying out non-surgical cosmetic procedures will have to meet, as well as hygiene and safety standards for premises. It will focus on those cosmetic procedures which, if improperly performed, have the potential to cause harm such as Botox and fillers. This amendment in addition to ongoing work with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the potential to bring certain devices, such as dermal fillers without a medical purpose, in scope of medical device regulations. The Government is currently analysing responses form a public consultation which ran to 25 November 2021 and will publish a formal response in due course. Further details on a public consultation will be set out in due course.

Government has failed to deliver promised new health centre for Maghull, says Bill Esterson MP

BILL Esterson MP pressed Health Ministers to commit to a promised new health centre in Maghull during questions in Parliament. On Tuesday, 1 March 2022, Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, asked the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for capital investment in a new health centre in Maghull in Sefton Central constituency. Mr Esterson said a previously promised new health facility had not yet been approved by the Government.

The Health Minister Maria Caulfield responded to the question in the House of Commons:- "Following the recent spending review, the next round of projects including those for Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust are being considered, and local health systems should be receiving confirmation of their funding envelope for 2022/23 shortly."

Mr Esterson responded:- "In November 2018 the then health minister the member for Winchester told me that building a new health facility in Maghull, a new health centre in Maghull, was a priority for NHS England. But the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund has closed and the funding for Maghull has not been approved by the Government. So can the minister confirm that the Government still agrees with me that a new health centre, as opposed to what she mentioned before which is a mental health facility, a new health centre is needed in Maghull and can she also tell me what the funding arrangements are in the absence of the Estates and Technology Fund?"

Maria Caulfield MP responded:- "I very much take the honourable gentleman's point and of course he's going to lobby for more investment for his constituency, but as I said the funding envelope will be announced shortly and it is for his local area to decide how they spend that."

Mr Esterson said following the exchange:- "Once again a ˝ answer from Ministers who don't seem to understand the question. The people of Maghull need a new health centre. The Government told me in 2018 that it was a priority for NHS England. It has still not been approved and the fund that was due to finance it has been closed down, with no announcement on what will replace it. How are new primary care facilities to be financed? The Minister could only refer to funding for Trusts such as Merseycare. Investment in our Hospitals and mental health services is welcome of course but primary care and community care must not be left behind. I will continue to press Ministers to release the funding Maghull needs for a new health centre delivering GP and community care."