Recommended best practice in insuring non-surgical aesthetic practitioners

For many years, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has been concerned with the unacceptable variation in the provision of insurance for aesthetic practitioners and lack of access to informed complaints and redress schemes. Accordingly, it has raised concerns with the Government that there is no legal requirement for non-healthcare practitioners to have medical insurance cover for non-surgical procedures that they provide to the public. Evidence also exists to confirm that, where medical insurance is provided for both healthcare and non-healthcare practitioners, the actual amount of medical indemnity cover provided may be inadequate to meet the actual costs associated with successful litigation claims. Furthermore, the JCCP is aware that the provision of patient/public redress schemes are not mandated within the UK, thereby exposing members of the public to receive an apology or compensation for the consequences of unacceptable practices.

The JCCP is committed to the principle that the offer of aesthetic-related insurance should be accompanied by a requirement to demonstrate relevant knowledge and competence in the provision of cosmetic treatments and in the identification and management of potential complications. There is no current requirement for this, with some insurers providing cover to non-healthcare cosmetic practitioners after the completion of a short course (1–2 days), with no assessment or assurance of competence, safety or proficiency. Associated with this issue is the need to require all practitioners to undertake appropriate and regular continuing personal and professional development (CPPD) with appropriately accredited training provider organisations to maintain and update knowledge/competence as part of annual insurance renewal.