It is commendable that a significant and growing number of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses' membership is part of the national COVID-19 vaccination workforce
The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) is proud to enter 2021 with a number of exciting updates and developments to share. Firstly, and in light of the evolving and specialist role of aesthetic nurses, the BACN has produced an extensive review and update of its existing membership code of conduct. This is to reflect the unique and specialist nature of medical aesthetic practice, as a holistic pathway and process beyond the procedure itself. The newly updated BACN code of professional conduct is designed to be read and applied to clinical practice in conjunction with the BACN nurse competencies and is an addition to relevant statutory guidance, principally the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018)Code. The BACN code of professional conduct outlines that members are expected to understand their responsibilities by demonstrating accountability and safety in all aspects of their practice by abiding to the professional legislative standards and guidelines referenced within the document. The updated code underpins the principles that a nurse conducting medical aesthetic treatments is required to exercise a unique and multi-faceted clinical judgement and skillset, often in complex scenarios that are intrinsic to the aesthetic specialism. In light of this, nurses working within this speciality are required to demonstrate not only an awareness of, but also knowledge and accountability of the moral, ethical, clinical and professional aspects of aesthetic practice, which includes developing a business acumen.
The newly updated BACN code of professional conduct includes guidance on the following overarching principles and areas of practice:
- Professional responsibility
- Competence
- Patient confidentiality
- Informed consent
- Adverse events
- Good clinical practice
- Responsible and ethical advertising
- Responsible and safe prescribing.
These principles are extensively underpinned by statutory and legislative standards and guidelines from relevant professional bodies and organisations. The updated code of professional conduct includes a detailed, contemporaneous reference and reading list, and it will be available for BACN members imminently.
The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses' competency framework has been expanded to include diathermy, among other medical aesthetics treatments
Competency framework expansion and celebrating success
The education and training committee continue to make good progress on updating the existing BACN integrated career and competency framework for nurses in aesthetic medicine. In line with the evolving number of treatment modalities, the competency framework has been expanded to include energy devices, diathermy, vaginal rejuvenation, threads, intravenous therapy, lipolysis injections, bio-identical hormone therapy and plasma. Additionally, the assessment and consultation competency has been expanded to include body dysmorphic disorder.
We are delighted that our newly launched BACN excellence social media campaign is providing an important platform for members to achieve recognition through championing patient safety and business innovation. This campaign provides members with an opportunity to demonstrate examples of success and patient safety through their aesthetic medical practice. During challenging times, the BACN board feels that this facilitates a positive approach to inspire members to celebrate success, support fellow aesthetic nurses and continually strive for excellence.
A workforce to be proud of
These are unprecedented times, and one could argue that nurses consistently demonstrate tenacity and an ability to adapt. The BACN is proud that its membership continues to practice resourcefully in the ways in which members have safely adapted their businesses under challenging circumstances. Furthermore, it is commendable that a significant and growing number of our nurse membership have undergone the required training to be part of the national COVID-19 vaccination workforce.
In light of the evolving implications of COVID-19, the board has recently reviewed its suggested operational guidelines for COVID-19 for the reintegration of medical aesthetic services to ensure that the contents align to current evidence-based guidance for such a time when our members choose to reopen. In line with current literature, we have included recent data outlining a small number of adverse events, specifically in subjects with a history of dermal filler (US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2020), with recommendations for clinical practice. This document will be available imminently for the membership.
Educational resources
The BACN introduced a number of digital educational events in the last quarter of 2020. These were well received by members, and we have taken the decision to launch monthly ‘In focus’ digital events in the absence of being able to provide regional face-to-face meetings under the current circumstances. Our first ‘In focus’ digital event was themed ‘Embracing aesthetic nursing in 2021’ and was launched in January 2021 and chaired by vice-chair Sharon King. I also gave an overview of the updated BACN professional code of conduct, BACN competencies and COVID-19 operational guidelines, and BACN treasurer Jonathan Bardolph delivered a business update from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with respect to lockdown. Our keynote speaker was Constance Campion-Awwad, who presented on ‘Defining specialist cosmetic nursing in 2021’. We also launched our first ‘In conversation with’, featuring BACN Chair Sharon Bennett on Instagram live, and we held a national peer review and social, which was led by BACN board member Lisa Feliz.
The February digital agenda is packed with expert educational content. Our ‘In conversation with’ welcomes vice-chair Sharon King and Dr Ewa Skrzypek, an esteemed doctor, full-time research worker and academic teacher at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. Dr Skrzypek has a long-term special interest in complications arising from medical aesthetic procedures, which is the theme for this interesting discussion. This was hosted on Instagram live on 16 February 2021 and was released on the @bacnurses Instagram feed.
This was followed by our ‘In focus live webinar’ themed on ‘trends in complications’ on 22 February 2021. BACN vice-chair and Aesthetic Complications Expert (ACE) Group World director, Sharon King, chaired the webinar and invited a number of experts in cosmetic complications to offer an interesting insight into a variety of issues that members face, with an emphasis on patient safety:
- Session one: vice-chair Sharon King discussed the recent findings in COVID-19 vaccinations and inflammatory symptoms in patients who have previously had dermal fillers
- Session two: complications experts panel had a roundtable discussion. Vice-chair Sharon King was joined by aesthetic medico-legal expert witness Liz Bardolph and BACN board member Rachel Goddard. This session included a roundtable discussion, followed by live Q&A with members attending the meeting.
The last online national peer review and social welcomed aesthetic nurse Lou Sommereux, and took place on 25 February 2021. The focus for this peer review was on practitioner experiences in epidemics and pandemics in relation to COVID-19.
For all events listings, please visit www.bacn.org.uk/events.
The board is delighted to launch the new online monthly educational initiatives, with a variety of themes planned for the year ahead. Each month will focus on key areas of medical aesthetics to engage and inspire the membership, particularly during these challenging circumstances.