Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to take steps to provide advice to people travelling to Turkey for (a) aesthetic and (b) cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson
The Government urges anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure to find a reputable, safe and competent practitioner subject to statutory regulation or on an accredited voluntary register overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. Using a registered practitioner provides assurance that they are appropriately qualified, registered and insured.
Those considering a cosmetic procedure abroad are urged to research the standards and qualifications which apply in that country. Individuals should ensure that adequate insurance arrangements are in place and that they have access to appropriate aftercare in the United Kingdom. NHS.UK has published guidance for people considering travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery, as well as general safety advice and information on individual procedures. The Royal College of Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons also provide information online.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP services in the Borough of Islington are administered by private sector companies as of 12 July 2022; and if he will publish the names of those (a) practices and (b) private sector companies.
Answered by James Morris
All general practitioner (GP) practices are administered by GPs or other organisations and work under contract to the National Health Service. All contract holders and providers of NHS core primary medical services are subject to the same requirements, regulation and standards. In Islington, there are 25 practices administered by GP partnerships, three by individual GPs and three by companies. Barnsbury Medical Practice is administered by Islington GP Group (Islington Federation); and Mitchison Road Surgery and Hanley Primary Care Centre by AT Medics. The number of GP practices in Greater London run by private sector companies in each year since 2019 is not held centrally.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP practices in Greater London are run by private sector companies as of 12 July 2022; and what the equivalent number was on that date in (b) 2021, (b) 2020 and (c) 2019.
Answered by James Morris
All general practitioner (GP) practices are administered by GPs or other organisations and work under contract to the National Health Service. All contract holders and providers of NHS core primary medical services are subject to the same requirements, regulation and standards. In Islington, there are 25 practices administered by GP partnerships, three by individual GPs and three by companies. Barnsbury Medical Practice is administered by Islington GP Group (Islington Federation); and Mitchison Road Surgery and Hanley Primary Care Centre by AT Medics. The number of GP practices in Greater London run by private sector companies in each year since 2019 is not held centrally.
Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) raise the standards, and (2) improve the safety, of the cosmetic surgery industry.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The General Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons are developing a cosmetic surgery credential. The credential will set out the expectations of doctors working in this area of practice and strengthen regulation and patient protection by ensuring surgeons have appropriate training, qualifications and experience.
The cosmetic surgery credential will not be mandatory. However, we expect the cosmetic surgery industry to embrace the credential as a way of demonstrating that doctors have the relevant skills and knowledge to deliver safe care to patients. We anticipate the cosmetic surgery credential will be completed in 2023.
Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement a credential for the regulation of cosmetic surgery; and what progress they have made with regard to implementing any such plans.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The General Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons are developing a cosmetic surgery credential. The credential will set out the expectations of doctors working in this area of practice and strengthen regulation and patient protection by ensuring surgeons have appropriate training, qualifications and experience.
The cosmetic surgery credential will not be mandatory. However, we expect the cosmetic surgery industry to embrace the credential as a way of demonstrating that doctors have the relevant skills and knowledge to deliver safe care to patients. We anticipate the cosmetic surgery credential will be completed in 2023.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to extend the powers of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body to include the investigation of (a) cosmetic and (b) aesthetic malpractice.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
We do not plan to extend the powers of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body. The provisions in the Health and Care Bill mean that the Health Services Safety Investigations Body will have the power to investigate incidents which have or may have implications for patient safety. Its remit will cover healthcare provided in the National Health Service and healthcare provided in and by the independent sector.
In England cosmetic surgery may only be performed by doctors registered with the General Medical Council. Providers of surgery must also register with the Care Quality Commission and meet its fundamental standards of safety and quality. The Government is evaluating the existing education and qualification frameworks for practitioners of non-surgical cosmetic procedures operating in England and assessing options for improving standards. This includes consideration of whether increased oversight of practitioners performing the most invasive non-surgical procedures is needed and how to achieve a proportionate system of practitioner regulation that protects the public.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the safety of cosmetic procedures being undertaken by non-licenced healthcare professionals.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
In England cosmetic surgery may only be performed by doctors registered with the General Medical Council. Providers of surgery must also register with the Care Quality Commission and meet its fundamental standards of safety and quality.
The Government is evaluating the existing education and qualification frameworks for practitioners of non-surgical cosmetic procedures operating in England and assessing options for improving standards. This includes consideration of whether increased oversight of practitioners performing some of the most invasive non-surgical procedures is needed and how to achieve a proportionate system of practitioner regulation that protects the public.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Neston)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate surgical care practitioners.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Following the 2017 consultation on the regulation of medical associate professions there are no plans to introduce statutory regulation of surgical care practitioners at this time.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to regulate providers in the aesthetic industry.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
Cosmetic surgery may only be performed by doctors registered with the General Medical Council and providers are required to register with the Care Quality Commission. The Department is working with stakeholders to assess the need for strengthened safeguards around the regulation of providers who offer some of the more invasive non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to introduce legislation to implement a mandatory licensing scheme for people wishing to practise aesthetic procedures in England.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Local Government Miscellaneous Act 1982 gives local authorities powers to regulate the hygiene and cleanliness of the practice of businesses providing a specific range of body modification procedures, including electrolysis, semi-permanent skin-colouring and body piercing. Local authorities also have general enforcement powers under health and safety at work legislation if they judge that there is a risk to customers’ health and safety.
The Department is exploring the regulation of premises, practitioners, products and consumer safeguards for cosmetic procedures. This includes an assessment of the regulation of practitioners and businesses offering the most invasive procedures, additional safeguards for children, and effective enforcement mechanisms.