Final report welcomed on cosmetic treatment regulation

Legislation to introduce more regulation on who can administer botulinum toxin, fillers and similar aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic treatments has been called upon by MPs following a year-long inquiry.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing (the APPG) made 17 recommendations to the Government stating that the current absence of regulation left consumers at risk and also undermined the industry’s ability to develop.

Hamilton Fraser is one of the few insurance providers that has consistently refused to provide insurance to non-medics practicing dermal filler and toxin treatments and as such welcomes the findings from the APPG.

After an explosion in popularity and availability of these treatments, MPs became concerned of the lack of legal restrictions on who can provide them and what qualifications are needed.

Eddie Hooker, CEO of Hamilton Fraser, said:

“Hamilton Fraser welcomes the publication of the APPG report.  We contributed to the evidence gathering stage and are pleased to note that the recommendations include a requirement for all practitioners who perform aesthetic treatments to ‘hold adequate and robust insurance cover’ and there should be an ‘industry standard for the level of proven competence that is required to gain coverage.’  Whilst the report only makes recommendations for the establishment of formal regulation we really hope that the Government considers carefully the contents of the report and takes steps to minimise the clear risks to the public unqualified practitioners undertaking these treatments pose.  We also call on brokers and insurers to work together in forming a set of minimum standards in order for practitioners to obtain insurance.” 

The APPG’s recommendations included, amongst others:

Setting national minimum standards for practitioner training
Mandate practitioners hold a regulated qualification in line with these national standards
Legislate to introduce a national licensing framework
Make fillers prescription only

Mark Copsey, Associate Director for Cosmetic Insurance, said:

“We have been waiting for a year on the outcome of this paper and I support the recommendations within. What is clear is that as the popularity of these treatments grows there is more work required to ensure the safety of those taking out a treatment. We continue to work with professional associations, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and training courses to raise standards and continue to stand firm on our stance to only insure professionally qualified medical practitioners.”