Insight

Botched botox: How the government’s aesthetic procedure consultation could impact medical indemnity

Published

10 January 2024

Read time

4 minutes

Time to read: 4-minute read

In September 2023, the UK government decided to launch a groundbreaking consultation aimed at enhancing the safety and quality of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. 

This was actioned following a dramatic rise in the number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures being performed in the UK, which had raised significant concerns about patient safety and the professional accountability of practitioners. 

In this blog post, we will discuss what the consultation is looking to achieve and why it’s so important, before offering our expert perspective on the potential implications it could have on the world of medical indemnity insurance.

What is the government’s consultation looking into?  

First launched on 2nd September, the government's consultation on treatments is a proactive response to the growing number of complaints about ‘botched’ non-surgical cosmetic procedures. 

Aesthetic procedures like Botox injections, laser hair removal, and dermal fillers have all grown increasingly popular over recent years. In fact, approximately 900,000 Botox injections are carried out in the UK each year on their own. 

However, a distinct lack of robust regulations related to the experience and quality of the practitioners performing procedures like these has left thousands of patients complaining of subpar treatments and procedures. 

As such, the government’s consultation aims to gather insights from patients and businesses, to help create a safer environment that enforces high standards across the non-surgical cosmetic industry. 

Running for eight weeks, one of the key proposals within the consultation refers to the introduction of a licensing scheme for practitioners and cosmetic businesses in England. 

This scheme could involve implementing certain age restrictions and regulations for high-risk procedures, including the use of filler in intimate parts of the body, such as the breasts and buttocks. 

How will the consultation impact medical indemnity?

With an estimated value of £3.6 billion, it’s perhaps no surprise why the government is so keen to ensure the non-surgical cosmetic industry maintains the same standards as other areas of healthcare. 

In essence, the recently launched consultation focuses on raising the reputation and professionalism of the industry as a whole. 

Therefore, any changes that are implemented because of it are also likely to have an impact on indemnity, in terms of both the way practitioners work and the terms of cover they currently have in place to protect themselves. 

For example, the results of the consultation could lead to: 

  • Increased accountability – the proposed licensing scheme will introduce a new layer of accountability for those involved in performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. As such, practitioners could soon be required to obtain licenses to perform specific procedures, enhancing professional standards and reducing the risk of claims.
  • Enhanced risk management – stricter regulations and licensing requirements will put an increased focus on risk management which, over time, could reduce the number of adverse events and malpractice claims. This could then potentially have a positive impact on insurance policy premiums in the future.
  • Tailored coverage – medical indemnity providers will need to adapt to the evolving landscape of cosmetic procedures and the requirements of practitioners working in this field. As a result, this could lead to the development of specialised protection, tailored specifically towards covering non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
  • Improved professional development – with so many other recent legislative updates and legal changes to consider, this consultation could provide an opportunity for medical indemnity providers to work with healthcare professionals to provide tailored professional development programs that reduce the likelihood of malpractice. 

If you are concerned about how the government’s consultation could impact your insurance, speak to one of our brokers. We will be able to answer any questions you have, review your policy and ensure you are suitably protected. 

Our verdict 

For us as an insurance provider, we see the UK government’s consultation on aesthetic treatments as a great thing – it’s a step in the right direction towards ensuring patient safety and improving the standards of practice in a fast-growing area of healthcare. 

It also allows us to move with the times, embrace upcoming legislative changes and continue offering healthcare professionals tailored protection that they can rely on.

If you would like to speak to us about your policy, get in touch with our team. 

Having suitable protection in place is not only crucial, it’s mandatory. Therefore, we would highly recommend reviewing your current policy with one of our brokers in advance of any governmental legislative changes becoming enforced.