The Government’s Response to the Review of Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions

News Story from 13th Feb 2014

Released today, this response concerns surgical interventions as well as non surgical work performed by laser / IPL therapists - whether these be doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals or beauty therapists who may have a variety of qualifications.  SRP’s NIR Topic Group will be looking at the response in detail but first impressions are that the Government by and large are not going against too many of Sir Bruce Keogh's recommendations for non surgical Laser / IPL treatments. There is support for clinical involvement in certain non-surgical cosmetic interventions and this could therefore mean they have serious intent on laser / IPL therapies being overseen by a healthcare professional when performed by therapists who may not be in a regulated profession. They are still exploring legislative options and will work with regulators to progress this.  Some of the measures in The Keogh Report indicate a need for legislation; the government is looking at where this might be needed and at the most appropriate legislative options. There is some degree of focus on assurance of training.  How this all crystallises out will be interesting to see as this is still not as black and white as one may hope - but then again that is not surprising!