The Procedures that are Regulated by the JCCP

Introduction to non-surgical aesthetic treatments and hair restoration surgery

There has been a huge growth in non-surgical treatments and hair restoration surgery in recent years. For many members of the public this leads to great confusion. The JCCP has published a series of information sheets to give a brief explanation of each procedure and the risks involved.

The JCCP currently recognises the following five procedural modalities that are performed by our Registrant Practitioners:

The five treatment modalities

These procedural modalities are simply the treatments that we regulate currently according to a set of prescribed practice standards (as determined by the Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority) and formal educational qualifications that are set down by the JCCP.

Background

In 2013 Sir Bruce Keogh presented his Government commissioned report into the cosmetic/aesthetic industry, which outlined a range of failings that present a risk to patients and service users.

In response, the Government commissioned Health Education England (HEE) in 2013 to work with industry stakeholders and professional regulators to develop a framework of agreed qualifications and standards, to address practitioner failings, to improve public protection and to mitigate risks that might occur as the result of harmful practice.

What the HEE work achieved

Under the umbrella of HEE, multiple industry stakeholders and experts:

New treatments in the future

Whilst 5 modalities are currently recognised by both the JCCP and by the CPSA, these are likely to increase in number in the future as new risks to person/patients are identified. It is the specific role of the CPSA to review new treatments as they emerge, to assess risk and where necessary to develop new standards.

Your JCCP registered practitioner

For each of the modalities your JCCP practitioner is registered to provide, you can be sure that they:

Things to consider for all treatments

1. 1Take time to decideDiscuss with your practitioner and allow yourself time for a ‘cooling-off’ period. It is important to take enough time to consider all the information before making a decision to have treatment.
2. 2Share your full medical historyBe thorough and honest in providing your medical history. Your practitioner requires these details not only to make a decision about your treatment, but to address problems - which often require prescription medicines - should they arise.
3. 3Give informed consentYour consent to treatment should be ‘informed’. This means that you have been given all the relevant facts, both generally and as they relate specifically to you, and that you understand them. You should have the opportunity to ask questions and consider treatment options.
4. 4If you have a problem afterwardsIf you do have a problem or concern after your treatment, the first step is always to contact your practitioner. They are best placed to advise, and to manage any side-effects. They should inform you how they can be contacted at any time.

Qualifications, Competence & Safety

Competence is the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge required to perform a task safely. Qualifications are a key part of competence and, for your safety, the JCCP recognise qualifications within this wider definition of competence.

The qualification and level we record may not be the same as the modality a practitioner is registered for, but it is important we record it because it forms a substantial part of their competence. For example, nurses and doctors with a degree (level 6) in nursing or medicine have met many of the competencies required for level 7 cosmetic procedures. These individuals close the gap by virtue of the skills and experience they have gained over time, and we record them on Category 2 of the register for the level 7 procedures they perform.

It is helpful to know that, alongside qualifications, the application of professional standards of practice provides another pillar of assurance for your safety. Category 2 is only available to specified healthcare professionals who are also regulated through a statutory body that commits them to work within the limits of their competence.

The Treatment Modality Table below sets out the levels of education, gained either through regulated qualifications (Category 1) or demonstrated by other means (Category 2), expected for each procedure.

Treatment Modality Table

Parts and categories of the register