Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for practitioners of cosmetic interventions to receive proper training and an assessment before undertaking procedures.

The Government is committed to improving the safety of cosmetic procedures through better training for practitioners, and better information so that people can make informed decisions about their care.

Cosmetic surgery, where the surgical procedure involves the use of instruments or equipment which are inserted into the body, is a regulated activity and can only be performed by surgeons who are registered with the General Medical Council. Providers are required to register with the Care Quality Commission and meet the fundamental standards of safety and quality.

The Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners was established in 2018 to accredit and assess practitioners and education and training providers within the non-surgical sector with the overarching aim of ensuring patient safety.

We urge anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure to take the time to find a reputable, safe, and qualified practitioner who is subject to statutory regulation, or on a voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.