Posts

More training needed before entering cosmetic industry, doctors and patients say

As the law stands, newly qualified consultants can walk straight into the operating theatre and perform the full repertoire of cosmetic surgery procedures for anyone who asks.  But in a recent survey, both doctors and patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with the status quo – and called for more specialist training for cosmetic surgeons to be made a legal requirement. The poll was conducted on 2,000 women and 500 doctors to coincide with the Clinical Cosmetic and Reconstructive Expo (the UK’s biggest plastic surgery conference), which takes place next month. 93% of the doctors surveyed said that they didn’t feel newly qualified surgeons were of the required standard to provide complex specialist surgeries like facelift and breast enlargement. Even though the law says otherwise, and NHS training is deemed to be sufficient.

Which leaves a vanishingly small one in 14 clinicians who felt things were fine the way they are, and no accredited training was necessary. Three-quarters of the patients surveyed also said they would feel more confident having cosmetic surgery if they knew their surgeon had undertaken further specialist training.

When asked about non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including injectables and laser treatment, both doctors and patients agreed that comprehensive specialist training was necessary. A minority of the doctors surveyed (around a third) thought medical professionals should have a minimum of three months’ training before being allowed to perform laser treatment.

Calls and campaigns to improve standards in the industry seem to be gathering momentum. This poll comes only days after Health Education England (HEE) released the first part of their review into training for non-surgical procedures.

And the organisation Save Face is currently creating a voluntary register of non-surgical cosmetic practitioners who have been thoroughly vetted by doctors before accreditation.

We will keep a close eye on any outcomes arising from this new scrutiny on what has hitherto been a largely unregulated industry. From our point of view as medical professionals, anything that improves patient safety and raises the standard for those entering the cosmetic arena can only be healthy for the industry – and improve its reputation beyond measure.

/by

The Health Education Review – what does it mean for you?

After the publication of the long-awaited Keogh Report last year, Health Education England are working with regulators and royal colleges to review the qualifications required to carry out non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the Health Education Review . Their recommendations are expected at the end of April.

The outcome of the review could be a pivotal moment in the industry, both for professionals and patients. Our team have been following HEE’s research as closely as we can, including attending one of their recent workshops, to keep up to speed with any developments.

So what might the HEE review mean for professionals in the industry?

In our opinion, any measures to improve standards can only be good for the industry and benefit both patients and practitioners. We would absolutely welcome any reforms that mean our delegates can go out and practice the treatments they have learned with us as confidently and safely as possible.

Of course, while the outcomes of the review are as yet unknown, we currently don’t know whether HEE will suggest any changes. But if new recommendations are made, we will work with all our delegates, past and present, to ensure they meet the new standards.

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality aesthetic training in the UK, and best practice is always our aim. With that in mind, we will continue to keep abreast of any changes and be sure to keep you informed along the way.

Cosmetic Courses are one of the UK’s most established providers of medical aesthetic training, with over 10 years’ experience to date. Our expert team come from a variety of medical backgrounds, and diverse industries, and all make it their business to keep at the very forefront of developments in the industry. For more information on Cosmetic Courses or the training we offer, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

/by
,

New Year, new career?

With a spanking brand New Year upon us it is, for many, a time to reflect on their life and if they need to make any changes to it. This often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions, for example taking up regular exercise, quitting smoking or taking up meditation. Others use it to examine their lives more closely overall and to set about making major changes if need be.

This includes looking at their level of satisfaction within both their personal and their professional lives, and also the balance of the two. One result of such reflection may be a career change for the new year. Many people simply trudge through jobs to pay the mortgage and bills while not necessarily enjoying what they do. But does this have to be the case? It’s more than possible to re-train and undertake a new career, whatever your age.

If this sounds like you and you too are considering a fresh new start you need to be a bit organised about it first. Initially, draw up a list of areas that you are interested in, where your natural abilities lie and any transferable skills you have built up from your existing career that you will be able to bring to a new one. After this list, create a more specific list of possible routes you feel naturally drawn towards, then list your skill set and any area of expertise. Then draw up a list of potential careers that match those answers to some degree.

Next you need to plan how you might put this in to practice. A career change takes a lot of commitment and hard work, and in order for it to be successful it does need proper planning and re-training where required. You will have to decide if your current situation allows you the freedom of time and finances in order to fund training in a particular area.

Many nurses come to us to re-train as skin care specialists within the beauty sector. This is a great example of using a current skill set in a new way. Expertise includes the care of patients and also the use of medical equipment and substances. Re-training is not too time-consuming or expensive and so it is still possible to achieve while working as a nurse.

If you are considering a change of direction this year, we can help. We have recently added several new courses to our programme, and our team would be more than happy to discuss your options with you. For advice on how Cosmetic Courses could help you plan your new career, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01844 3901110 or email [email protected].

Happy New Year!

/by

The Keogh Review – What will it mean for cosmetic training?

The Keogh Review of plastic surgery’s findings published last month included recommendations that will likely be put in to practice and therefore enforceable by law. These will have ramifications for the entire industry and for those practising within it.

Notably, its recommendations for new regulations for non-invasive procedures. It’s recommended that those who administer procedures such as Botox and fillers will need to have proper training and qualifications and will need to be medical professionals.

So what will this mean?

1. Increased number of courses available

Though it has not yet been made clear what specific qualification will be required or the body designing it, it is nonetheless apparent that the number of courses for practitioners to earn the qualifications will see a huge increase in number. It’s rare for universities to offer courses in this field currently yet it’s likely that courses for non-invasive procedures will rise throughout colleges and universities.

2. Increased cost for training

New training qualifications and courses (including guidelines, syllabus, examining etc) will likely result in increased costs to train and obtain the relevant qualification. It’s possible that training now will avoid the higher costs that may arise once the regulations come in to law.

3. Increased, but better competition

Although an increased number of courses may result in more practitioners, the upshot is that you will be working in a regulated industry where you do not have to compete with less than scrupulous individuals or clinics.

For information about our range of aesthetic training courses, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

/by

Aesthetic Nurse Libby Stewart Shares her Experience

Libby Stewart; as one of Cosmetic Courses’ most experienced Trainers, how did your career move from Mainstream Nursing into Aesthetic Nursing?

My career path into Medical Aesthetics is probably true of a lot of Nurses. I stumbled into it by chance.

Working with Mr Adrian Richards

I worked with Mr Adrian Richards (Plastic Surgeon and Founder of Cosmetic Courses) in theatre, where I was a Bank Nurse on his surgery team and worked with him regularly.

Mr Richards saw the need to develop medical aesthetics to assist with his surgical work. For example: a lot of patients were prepared for surgery through injections of botox into areas like the platysmal bands. Also, surgery can only counteract loose skin, not really permanently replace volume. So the two professions are very nicely linked.

Medical Aesthetic Nurse Training

When I was asked to do a Medical Aesthetics training course to be of assistance to him, I didn’t really think it was for me. I didn’t think it was for “real” nurses. I didn’t think I would like it.

When I first started, I was sleepless with nerves! My first few clinics were far too busy. I became over-faced, flustered and really had to pull myself together. But I pulled myself up like Mary Poppins and said “I’m made of tougher stuff than that!”

I learnt that by spacing your patients out, giving yourself enough time with them, some breathing space and learning tricks like turning your back to your patients when you’re drawing up your Botox, it really helps.

It was not too long before I had the Botox bug and now here I am today!

Libby trains nurses, doctors, dentists and other medical professionals on Foundation to Advanced level courses in Botox and Dermal Fillers, daily at The Cosmetic Courses National Cosmetic Training Centre in Buckinghamshire. Call 0845 230 4110 to book your course with Libby and the Team.

/by