We are delighted to announce that Botastic Medispa has become the only nurse-led facility in East Yorkshire to become regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
It is a major milestone for the clinic and one owner Eve Bird says is a ‘badge of honour’, sending out a clear message to clients that we meet the highest standards at all times.
Eve took the decision to have the clinic independently regulated by the CQC even though, at present, it is not a legal requirement to cover many of the procedures carried out.
However, as a former critical care nurse with 20 years’ NHS experience, she expects much tighter regulations to be introduced within a matter of a few years, bringing the aesthetics industry under the same scrutiny as hospitals and GP surgeries for management, safety, treatments and procedures carried out.
The registration also means the clinic is now permitted to carry out PDO thread procedures, which are considered to be the most effective facelift without going under the knife, which are already regulated under CQC guidelines.
“It is important to stress that as a clinic we have always worked to the standards required by the CQC, but in an industry where sadly many people carry out work they simply don’t have the experience, expertise or facilities to do, we wanted to be fully and independently assessed,” said Eve.
“Aesthetic treatments are largely unregulated at present but that is expected to change very soon and this puts us a step ahead of the game.
“It sends out a very clear message to our clients that we perform to the highest standards. To become regulated by the CQC you have to show evidence for everything you do, from your health and safety protocols to how you manage and run a sterile clinic.
“The protocols and procedures have to be in place for everything, and most importantly of all, you have to be seen to be meeting them and are inspected frequently to ensure standards are being maintained.
“It’s been incredibly hard work to become regulated but it has all paid off now and we’re delighted. It’s a real coup for us that we are officially deemed to be working at the same strict standards as a hospital or GP surgery.”
Eve says she is concerned that many procedures, such as Botox injections and lip fillers, are increasingly being carried out in hair salons and homes, in non-sterile environments where infection is a real risk.
As a former nurse, she has led the way in her industry in adopting strict hygiene and infection-control measures, and with stricter regulations appearing a certainty in the future, she believes those wanting to continue practicing these procedures will need to follow in her footsteps.
She said: “I’m a member of several industry bodies and forums and from what we’re being advised the industry is heading towards regulation.
“For people injecting Botox during their spare time in their home or in a room in a hair salon, this would have huge implications and they would not meet the standards required and to establish a dedicated clinic like ours is a serious financial undertaking that most would not want to take on.
“It’s also about making the right choice as a customer.
“We’ve trail-blazed for our industry, and it’s my nursing knowledge that has made this a point of principle for me. I have to ‘clean up’ many times after the disasters and botched procedures that others are responsible for, so regulation of this business is something I am very keen to see.”
