This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Standards set for specialist clinics
09/03/2004
From next year clinics in Scotland which provide cosmetic surgery, laser or weight management treatments will be regulated by the Care Commission.
The Executive today published a set of national care standards for independent specialist clinics which privately provide consultations, investigations and treatment, for the following services:
- cosmetic surgery and treatment
- treatment where lasers are used - eyesight improvement
- birthmark, tattoo or excess hair removal
- weight management treatment
The standards are written from the point of the consumer and cover issues such as safety, qualifications and what happens if something goes wrong.
Their aim is to ensure confidence for the patient that wherever they are in Scotland they will receive a proper and safe standard of care and treatment.
Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe said:
"If people are thinking about purchasing these types of services, these standards should help provide peace of mind. It will help them make their choice and, if things go wrong, the standards can be used to raise concerns or make a complaint.
"The standards also mean that providers will be well aware of what standard of care and service is expected of them. The standards will help the owner or the manager of the clinic decide on who to employ and how their service should be managed.
"We are publishing the standards now to ensure providers are well aware and well-prepared for regulation."
The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 established the Care Commission and set out the care services that it will regulate. These services include independent healthcare services, one of which is independent clinics.
Independent clinics are premises in which a doctor or a dentist provides private services (that is, not under the NHS) on a day care basis. This includes where a doctor or dentist supervises the provision of such services by someone else, for example a nurse.
Independent clinics do not include premises which the following services are provided:
- Beauticians and hairdressers
- Alternative therapists (such as aromatherapists)
- Registered practitioners such as nurses, midwives and physiotherapists
- Slimming clubs and organisations
The standards will be taken into account by the Care Commission in making decisions about applications for registration. At inspection the standards will also be used to monitor the quality of services and clinics' compliance with the Act and its associated regulations. The Care Commission can also take enforcement action.
Before regulation of these services begins, there will be consultation on associated legislation needed for it.