Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the licensing requirements for cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Officials are considering how a future licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England might be implemented. Any future licensing requirements would be subject to stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the scope and details of the scheme. No timetable for implementation has yet been determined.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the (a) BE FAST mnemonic used in the United States and (b) the FAST test used in the UK in assisting members of the public in detecting symptoms of stroke.
Answered by Will Quince
There are no plans to make a comparative assessment. Internal analysis of the Act FAST campaign for stroke suggests that the campaign has delivered 4,400 additional thrombolysis treatments since its launch in 2009.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects NICE's review of Evusheld to be concluded.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
On 10 August 2022, the Department referred tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld) to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to evaluate its clinical and cost effectiveness for preventing COVID-19. Between 29 July and 12 August, NICE consulted with stakeholders on the suggested remit, draft scope and list of consultees and commentators.
NICE has commenced this evaluation and currently expects to publish draft guidance in April 2023, with final guidance to follow in May 2023. In discussion with AstraZeneca, NICE is expediting the appraisal process by bringing forward the deadline for the manufacturer’s evidence submission.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is legal for practitioners who are not GMC-registered to conduct consultations with patients in the UK.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
Doctors practising medicine in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practise. However, the GMC does not legally define what constitutes a consultation, which can depend on the individual purpose of the consultation. Medical practitioners who are not registered with the GMC can, in specific contexts, legally conduct consultations with patients in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2022 to Question 18823 on Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Licensing, when he expects the public consultation on the future licensing scheme to commence.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
Officials are currently considering how a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures could be implemented. This includes a potential timetable for a public consultation to inform the development of the scheme.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether practitioners of aesthetic treatments are required to undertake a mandatory risk assessment of each patient prior to treatment.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
Practitioners carrying out non-surgical cosmetic treatments are not required to undertake a mandatory risk assessment of patients. However, we encourage anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner and reflect on the possible impact of the procedure on their physical and mental health.
Choosing a practitioner subject to statutory regulation or on a voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority provides assurance that they hold the requisite knowledge, qualifications and insurance to safely perform the procedures being offered.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on the Government's proposal to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
In April 2022, we introduced legislation through the Health and Care Act 2022 to provide powers for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England. The scope and details of any future licensing scheme will be set out in secondary legislation and subject to stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Officials are currently assessing the implementation of these plans.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps (a) her Department and (b) the police are taking to address the impact of illegal botox substitutes on members of the public.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has powers to investigate and take action when breaches or suspected breaches of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are identified. The action taken is determined on a case-by-case basis and will reflect relevant factors and evidence. Offences under the Regulations are criminal and if appropriate, the MHRA will bring a prosecution through the criminal courts. Penalties range from a fine to a two-year prison sentence.
The MHRA works with external healthcare partners to ensure the safety of the public and the Border Force on the importation of illegal Botox substitutes. The MHRA will take action if any trends associated to the safety or efficacy of a healthcare product are identified. The information requested on police action is not held as this is a matter for the Home Office.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is monitoring the use of illegal botox substitutes by practitioners in relation to non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Department has no current plans to monitor the use of illegal botox substitutes. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom and ensures that all such products licensed for use meet all applicable standards of safety, quality and efficacy. The MHRA monitors the safety of all medicines and remains vigilant for any emerging new evidence from Yellow Card Reports, scientific publications or information from patients and stakeholders in relation to any illegal use of medicines and takes regulatory action where necessary.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to collect data on the costs of aftercare to the NHS, for patients who report adverse effects following (a) aesthetic and (b) cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
We have no current plans to do so. However, as part of the introduction of a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, the Department will work with stakeholders to collate data and gather evidence on the incidence of consumers seeking treatment through the National Health Service for complications following private cosmetic procedures.