The Ed.
Well-Known Member
In August 2012, Sir Bruce Keogh was tasked with an investigation into the regulation of cosmetic interventions; his committee published findings in April 2013, which have since been under Government review. Yesterday, the Government has released the full results of the investigation, with key recommendations including improved and formalised standards of qualifications and training, regulation of all providers in the form of a voluntary, paid register and supervision of non-healthcare providers by regulated professionals.
The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) is in no way critical of the Review, but consider yesterday's report does not go far enough in terms of consumer protection. At this stage, BABTACs biggest concern is that the industry will continue to have a buyers beware focus, leaving the responsibility for safety with the client rather than the provider, despite Keoghs recommendations to the contrary.
Furthermore, it is BABTACs concern that the specific instruction that non-healthcare providers e.g. beauty therapists, be overseen by a regulated professional is very woolly and unclear. The risk is that bureaucracy and governance by medical professionals will simply increase administration costs and reduce competition, driving up consumer prices without necessarily increasing safety. Properly trained, advanced therapists are entirely capable of delivering these treatments safely, but difficulty finding supervisors may drive up prices or prevent practice, limiting consumer choice and creating a medically dominated market monopoly.
Carolyne Cross, Chair, BABTAC says Not only does the commitment to a voluntary register make a mockery of professionals who believe in high standards by continuing to enable cowboy traders, increased bureaucracy may also drive up the prices of those who are properly qualified and professional, making guaranteed safety a luxury of the rich and famous.
She continues; BABTAC has been involved in the Review process and whilst we appreciate the scope of the issues is huge, the recommendations by Keogh were right for the industry. This announcement today has left an element of disappointment, with a feeling that the Government is sitting on the fence due to budget concerns rather than grasping the full opportunity to make a difference.
Anecdotal evidence showcased by the media to date has indicated that the many of the murky practices are delivered by medically trained professionals. Whilst most medics will be competent and careful, enabling them to dominate the market will not inherently increase standards of safety.
BABTAC is hoping that the current review into qualifications being thoroughly undertaken by Health Education England (HEE) will go a long way to properly define practice and increase standards. Unfortunately, their work may be let down by lack of enforcement and a voluntary register will mean the training isnt mandatory either.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) is in no way critical of the Review, but consider yesterday's report does not go far enough in terms of consumer protection. At this stage, BABTACs biggest concern is that the industry will continue to have a buyers beware focus, leaving the responsibility for safety with the client rather than the provider, despite Keoghs recommendations to the contrary.
Furthermore, it is BABTACs concern that the specific instruction that non-healthcare providers e.g. beauty therapists, be overseen by a regulated professional is very woolly and unclear. The risk is that bureaucracy and governance by medical professionals will simply increase administration costs and reduce competition, driving up consumer prices without necessarily increasing safety. Properly trained, advanced therapists are entirely capable of delivering these treatments safely, but difficulty finding supervisors may drive up prices or prevent practice, limiting consumer choice and creating a medically dominated market monopoly.
Carolyne Cross, Chair, BABTAC says Not only does the commitment to a voluntary register make a mockery of professionals who believe in high standards by continuing to enable cowboy traders, increased bureaucracy may also drive up the prices of those who are properly qualified and professional, making guaranteed safety a luxury of the rich and famous.
She continues; BABTAC has been involved in the Review process and whilst we appreciate the scope of the issues is huge, the recommendations by Keogh were right for the industry. This announcement today has left an element of disappointment, with a feeling that the Government is sitting on the fence due to budget concerns rather than grasping the full opportunity to make a difference.
Anecdotal evidence showcased by the media to date has indicated that the many of the murky practices are delivered by medically trained professionals. Whilst most medics will be competent and careful, enabling them to dominate the market will not inherently increase standards of safety.
BABTAC is hoping that the current review into qualifications being thoroughly undertaken by Health Education England (HEE) will go a long way to properly define practice and increase standards. Unfortunately, their work may be let down by lack of enforcement and a voluntary register will mean the training isnt mandatory either.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
