Written question WQ88835
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
Further to WQ85558, will the Minister advise whether further consideration has been given to introducing licensing requirements for the carrying out of aesthetic procedures and if so, what is the timeline for any consultation and introduction?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The first round of consultation on the Special Procedures regulations closed on 19 April 2023 and the responses are now being analysed. The consultation shows the complexity of creating a new licensing or regulatory system for any type of service, and the governance and training that needs to be put in place. The legislation that governs this proposed mandatory scheme includes powers for additional procedures to be added in future, although there is no firm timetable in place for doing so.
Welsh Ministers can only exercise these powers if a procedure is capable of being performed for aesthetic or non-medical therapeutic purposes and is capable of causing harm to health. As part of considering the current special procedures, we have had to consider all the evidence including the potential harm to human health as well as the frequency at which such treatments are carried out. The same process would apply to any proposals for further additions to the scheme.
We want to make sure the proposed licensing scheme, which is due to come into force in June 2024, is established and running efficiently for the four named procedures before considering adding more.