Inverclyde residents considering non‑surgical cosmetic or wellbeing treatments will benefit from stronger safety protections under new legislation introduced by the Scottish Government.
The Non‑surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure that commonly performed procedures – such as Botox injections, dermal fillers and other higher‑risk cosmetic treatments – are carried out safely and in appropriate settings.
The Bill was passed by MSPs on Tuesday 17th March and will require these procedures to be delivered only in premises that meet strict hygiene and safety standards, and where appropriate, healthcare professionals are available.
Consumers will also be protected by new offences preventing:
- Procedures being carried out in unregulated or unsuitable premises
- Treatments being offered to anyone under the age of 18
Commenting, Stuart McMillan MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde said:
“Since this issue was first raised with me in 2018, I’ve been determined to ensure that regulation is introduced to make these treatments safer.
“I believe this Bill delivers robust and proportionate regulation to safeguard anyone choosing to undergo these procedures, and I particularly welcome the new powers given to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to enter and inspect premises where there are concerns that unsafe or unlawful practices may be taking place. This is an important measure in supporting public health locally.
“I want to thank my constituent, Jill Best, for taking the time to outline her concerns because when she first approached me, I had little to no understanding of the industry. It’s been a learning curve and since COVID-19, we’ve seen how rapidly this sector has grown and the additional procedures that are now on offer.
“The pandemic delayed progress but in late 2021 we picked the issue back up and got to work. I’m therefore grateful to Jenni Minto MSP, the Public Health Minister, for engaging on this issue and bringing this Bill forward.
“While the minutia of this Bill hasn’t been supported by everyone, and some suggested amendments sat outside of the scope of the Scottish Parliament, a previous national consultation showed 98% of respondents support increased oversight of non‑healthcare‑led procedures.
“Fundamentally this is a framework Bill, and additional provisions will be put in place using secondary legislation. This will cover concerns around training and education which I believe are vitally important to allow those who are highly skilled and qualified but do not have a medical degree.
“I know many local businesses have been worried about the impact this Bill will have on them, so I’m pleased that they will be able to access free guidance to help them adapt to the new requirements.
“For me, this has first and foremost been about improving public safety. This industry is here to stay, so it was imperative that MSPs put in place provisions to regulate these procedures.”
