COVID-19: Safety Considerations for Elective Procedure
11th June 2020
We are living through a pandemic where national guidance is subject to regular review as the evidence evolves. Today’s guidance is based on yesterday’s policy change, and as there will inevitably be further policy shift tomorrow, practitioners must be reactive and ensure they meet the up to date safety advice. Despite this regular and rapid adjustment of certain aspects of policy and guidance the fundamentals of good practice remain unchanged and adherence to these basics will help you navigate any temporary lack of clarity
The regulators
The CPSA is not a regulator and therefore encourage all practitioners to remain up to date; taking heed of the relevant regulatory bodies’ guidance including their: Professional Statutory Regulator Body (PSRB) and the regulators of premises and healthcare providers.
With reference to products and devices used, including PPE and the validity of Covid-19 tests, practitioners must be familiar with the current guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
Practitioner indemnity
To ensure the practitioner and patient are adequately protected, it is vital that practitioners are satisfied they have adequate insurance also establishing whether Covid-19 has impacted their policy and coverage.
Fundamental safety principles
The CPSA set practice standards, with the core principle being that of patient safety. The patient safety requirements must not be circumvented to facilitate financial gain and/or for practitioner/patient convenience.
Despite rapid change in policy, the following fundamental safety principles must be applied*:
*If in any doubt - do not treat the patient
Additional resources
The regulators
The CPSA is not a regulator and therefore encourage all practitioners to remain up to date; taking heed of the relevant regulatory bodies’ guidance including their: Professional Statutory Regulator Body (PSRB) and the regulators of premises and healthcare providers.
With reference to products and devices used, including PPE and the validity of Covid-19 tests, practitioners must be familiar with the current guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
Practitioner indemnity
To ensure the practitioner and patient are adequately protected, it is vital that practitioners are satisfied they have adequate insurance also establishing whether Covid-19 has impacted their policy and coverage.
Fundamental safety principles
The CPSA set practice standards, with the core principle being that of patient safety. The patient safety requirements must not be circumvented to facilitate financial gain and/or for practitioner/patient convenience.
Despite rapid change in policy, the following fundamental safety principles must be applied*:
- Full Risk Assessment of your practice to include: Environment, staff, products, PPE, other protection, social distancing, hygiene and enhanced cleaning requirements.
- Risk Assess each patient based on their vulnerabilities and comorbidities.
- Age now must become part of the assessment of suitability for treatment.
- Consent must be careful, considered and include detailed documentation.
- Clear documentation of the steps taken to mitigate risk.
- Check that your insurance is valid and adequate, establishing the impact of Covid-19 on the policy.
- Keep up to date: Know your regulator guidance, know the principles of safe practice in a fast changing environment.
*If in any doubt - do not treat the patient
Additional resources
- MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mhra-guidance-on-coronavirus-covid-19 [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: information for providers https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/all-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-information-providers [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- COVID-19: guidance for health professionals https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information and advice https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/coronavirus-information-and-advice [Website verified 10 June 2020
- COVID-19: GDC guidance for dental professionals https://www.gdc-uk.org/information-standards-guidance/covid-19/covid-19-guidance-from-the-gdc [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- Coronavirus (Covid-19) information and advice. https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/coronavirus/statements/ [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- How we will continue to regulate in light of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/news/how-we-will-continue-regulate-light-novel-coronavirus-covid-19 [Website verified 10 June 2020]
- COVID-19: Good Practice for Surgeons and Surgical Teams. The Royal College of Surgeons of England. https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/standards-and-guidance/good-practice-guides/coronavirus/covid-19-good-practice-for-surgeons-and-surgical-teams/ [Website verified 10 June 2020]
COVID-19 ADVICE to PRACTITIONERS
JCCP/CPSA Press Release
Updated 24th March 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global threat and those working in the non-surgical cosmetic sector must adhere to guidance from government organisations. Disruption to practice is required to reduce the rate of virus transmission and save lives. For greatest impact, responsible behaviour is required by all, which includes social distancing by patients and practitioners.
The non-surgical cosmetic sector is positioned between healthcare and beauty. This briefing is a CPSA/JCCP consensus statement, incorporating Public Health England guidance for the NHS and for the public. It is relevant for non-NHS healthcare professionals as well as beauty therapists.
The CPSA/JCCP recommends and advises that:
1) All clinics/salons should now close in accordance with Government advice and all face-to-face consultations for aesthetic treatments should now cease
2) Telephone or media-link consultations can continue but must be secure and respect patient confidentiality
3) All elective/non-urgent procedures should cease
4) Adherence to national self-isolation and social distancing guidance by staff and patients/clients
5) Registered healthcare professionals should consider re-entry into the NHS
This advice accords with UK Government Policy and guidance relating to both applying due diligence to treatment settings and to protecting vulnerable patient groups which the JCCP/CPSA commends all practitioners to adhere to:
The JCCP and CPSA will be available for further advice over the coming weeks as the current emergency situation evolves.
Professor David Sines PhD FRCN CBE – Chair – JCCP
Alexander Woollard FRCS(plast) PhD – Chair – CPSA
The non-surgical cosmetic sector is positioned between healthcare and beauty. This briefing is a CPSA/JCCP consensus statement, incorporating Public Health England guidance for the NHS and for the public. It is relevant for non-NHS healthcare professionals as well as beauty therapists.
The CPSA/JCCP recommends and advises that:
1) All clinics/salons should now close in accordance with Government advice and all face-to-face consultations for aesthetic treatments should now cease
2) Telephone or media-link consultations can continue but must be secure and respect patient confidentiality
3) All elective/non-urgent procedures should cease
4) Adherence to national self-isolation and social distancing guidance by staff and patients/clients
5) Registered healthcare professionals should consider re-entry into the NHS
This advice accords with UK Government Policy and guidance relating to both applying due diligence to treatment settings and to protecting vulnerable patient groups which the JCCP/CPSA commends all practitioners to adhere to:
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874316/Infection_prevention_and_control_guidance_for_pandemic_coronavirus.pdf
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
The JCCP and CPSA will be available for further advice over the coming weeks as the current emergency situation evolves.
Professor David Sines PhD FRCN CBE – Chair – JCCP
Alexander Woollard FRCS(plast) PhD – Chair – CPSA
Charity status achieved by Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority
10th December 2019
The Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA) has been formally recognised as a charity (no. 1186220). We were added to the Register of Charities in November this year and details are available on the Charity Commission website.
The CPSA was originally founded in response to a review into cosmetic practice lead by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh in 2013. This review was carried out in the wake of the PIP implant (Poly Implant Prosthèse) scandal. The review focussed also on non-surgical cosmetics and highlighted several areas of concern.
‘In fact, a person having a non-surgical cosmetic intervention has no more protection and redress than someone buying a ballpoint pen or a toothbrush.’ Stark statements such as this led to calls from the government to establish education objectives and standards. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) was formed as a regulatory body and register.
They commissioned an independent group of experts to write and maintain the standards for the industry to adhere to; this is the CPSA.
The industry has exponentially expanded in recent times and it is estimated that non-surgical cosmetic procedures account for 9 out of 10 of all cosmetic interventions carried out (the remaining being surgical). Despite this there is currently no legislation to protect patients and limited regulation.
Our work must and will continue. We will continue to lobby for legislation to provide the protection that our patients so deserve and working with our sister body the JCCP will seek to secure the statutory infrastructure required for public protection.
The Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA) has been formally recognised as a charity (no. 1186220). We were added to the Register of Charities in November this year and details are available on the Charity Commission website.
The CPSA was originally founded in response to a review into cosmetic practice lead by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh in 2013. This review was carried out in the wake of the PIP implant (Poly Implant Prosthèse) scandal. The review focussed also on non-surgical cosmetics and highlighted several areas of concern.
‘In fact, a person having a non-surgical cosmetic intervention has no more protection and redress than someone buying a ballpoint pen or a toothbrush.’ Stark statements such as this led to calls from the government to establish education objectives and standards. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) was formed as a regulatory body and register.
They commissioned an independent group of experts to write and maintain the standards for the industry to adhere to; this is the CPSA.
The industry has exponentially expanded in recent times and it is estimated that non-surgical cosmetic procedures account for 9 out of 10 of all cosmetic interventions carried out (the remaining being surgical). Despite this there is currently no legislation to protect patients and limited regulation.
Our work must and will continue. We will continue to lobby for legislation to provide the protection that our patients so deserve and working with our sister body the JCCP will seek to secure the statutory infrastructure required for public protection.