How does the Welsh Government regulate which professionals can practice Botox and dermal filler procedures?
In Wales, each Health Board is directly responsible for delivering all healthcare services within their geographical region. I expect health service professionals to deliver services based on clinical need and in line with current national guidelines.
Regulation of NHS services is overseen by the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales whose role is to regulate and inspect NHS services and independent healthcare providers in Wales against a range of standards, policies, guidance and regulations to highlight areas requiring improvement
Botox is classed as a prescription-only medicine in the UK, which means it can only be prescribed and given to a patient by a qualified prescriber. Only medical professionals can qualify as prescribers, so therapists can perform Botox injections only if they work alongside a prescribing clinician. The prescriber also has responsibility for the outcome of the procedure. We are aware that this does not always happen and that Botox may be being administered remotely. Dermal fillers are not regulated but patients should always ensure that the person carrying out the procedure has been trained. We have concerns about the risks associated with procedures such as dermal fillers and the administration of Botox.
Part 4 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 will, when commenced, regulate four Special Procedures which will not initially include dermal fillers and Botox procedures. After giving time for the new licensing regime for the 4 Special Procedures to bed in, consideration will be given to whether to add to the list of Special Procedures to be regulated. In any public consultation exercise, the question whether to regulate the practice of dermal fillers and Botox as Special Procedures will need to consider all the evidence including the potential harm to human health as well as the frequency at which they are carried out.