The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners otherwise known as the JCCP was launched in 2018. The ‘not for profit’ organization was made to bring ‘self-regulation’ of the non-surgical aesthetic sector within the UK with a strong focus on patient safety.

Recently we published two blogs outlining the new guidelines from the JCCP, one of which was the new licensing scheme. A new breakthrough within the industry where any aesthetic treatments performed without the legal licensing required would be considered an offence. The licensing scheme is to protect the general public by practitioners needing to show a certain standard of understanding along with premises standards.

Since this was announced there has been further updated guidance in which cosmetic treatments, such as Botox and topical anaesthetic will no longer be allowed to be remotely prescribed.

The press release published by the JCCP states:

In line with several Professional Statutory Regulators (the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council and in accordance with guidance set down by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society) the JCCP and the CPSA have set down their decision not to endorse or permit the remote prescribing of any prescription medicine when used for specifically for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. In such circumstances when a prescriber delegates treatment to other practitioners, then the JCCP would remind the prescriber that the patient remains under the oversight of the prescriber, requiring that the prescriber must be familiar with the patient through an initial face to face consultation and diagnostic assessment of the patient’s suitability for treatment. This applies to the routine/planned administration of medicines that are used specifically for cosmetic purposes, such as botulinum toxins, injected local anaesthetic or topical adrenaline, and the emergency use of medicines such as hyaluronidase.

Professor David Sines CBE – Executive Chair of the JCCP said,

“The JCCP recognises the important role that professional prescribers make to public protection and of the contribution that they make to the development and maintenance of a robust and effective patient safety culture in the aesthetic sector. The JCCP (and the CPSA) continue to strive to promote and develop standards and best practice across the whole of the non-surgical and hair restoration surgery sector and to promote and publicise the same to the public. The JCCP’s primary purpose is to raise public awareness and improve patient safety. The publication of our revised guidance on ‘Responsible Prescribing for Cosmetic Practitioners’ demonstrates our continuing commitment to signposting and promoting safe and effective practice within the aesthetic sector. We have worked closely with a range of statutory regulators and professional associations over the past three years to promote safe and effective practice in prescribing. We commend the adoption and application of this revised Guidance Statement in accordance with our shared aim of protecting the public”

Find out more about the JCCP here.

We are delighted to announce that our head office in Buckinghamshire received the title of “good” by our CQC inspection.

Date of inspection visit: 25 April 2022

This report describes our judgement of the quality of care at this service. It is based on a combination of what we found when we inspected, information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and information given to us from
the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

Overall rating for Cosmetic Courses – good, judged on:

• Are services safe? Good
• Are services effective? Good
• Are services caring? Good
• Are services responsive to people’s needs? Good
• Are services well-led? Good

The CQC inspection of Cosmetic Courses:

CQC carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cosmetic Courses on 25 April 2022. Cosmetic Courses was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in November 2019. CQC carried out this first rated inspection as part of their regulatory functions.

The inspection was undertaken to check whether we were meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Cosmetic Courses is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services we provide. We provide a range of independent dermatology services, including non-surgical cosmetic interventions, which are not within CQC scope of registration. CQC did not inspect, or report on, those services that are outside the scope of registration. Although not regulated by CQC, we still work hard to ensure these areas of the company still withhold the same high standard as those regulated.

Cosmetic Courses is registered with the CQC to provide the following regulated activities:
• Surgical procedures
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

CQC inspected treatments relating to medical conditions which include treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), non-surgical thread lifts and surgical removal of minor skin lesions.

CQC Key Findings for Cosmetic Curses:

• The service had clear systems to keep people safe and safeguarded from abuse whilst using the service. The service used recognised screening processes to identify patients who could be at risk of body dysmorphic disorders.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs. The way in which care was delivered was reviewed to ensure it was according to best practice aesthetic medicine guidance. Staff were well supported to update their knowledge through training.
• Patients were provided with information about their treatment and with advice and guidance to support them to live healthier lives. This included comprehensive after-care advice post-treatment.
• Feedback from patients was consistently positive and highlighted a strong person-centred culture.
• The service did not provide treatment where they felt it was not in the patient’s best interest. Staff were motivated to prioritise the needs of their patients.
• Services were tailored to meet the needs of individual patients and those attending training courses. They were delivered in a flexible way that ensured choice and continuity of care.
• There was an overarching provider vision and strategy with evidence of good local leadership within the service. There were clear responsibilities, roles and systems to support good governance and management.

Areas of outstanding practice:

There was a fully embedded focus on continuous learning and improvement which included training registered medical professionals (such as surgeons, doctors and nurses) looking to expand their aesthetic skills. At the time of the April 2022 inspection, the service offered over 27 continuing professional development certified aesthetic courses which included free ongoing support following completion of the chosen training courses. The service had been recognised and presented with various aesthetic sector awards. The most recent award was in March 2022, when the service was “commended” at the Aesthetic Awards 2022. This category looked at the independent training provider whose training programme was considered to have advanced the education of medical aesthetic professionals most
effectively during the last 12 months. Judges looked for engaging methods of delivery, a high-quality, generic programme, a continuous development strategy and achievement of measurable outcomes.