News Special: Threads and the CQC

Threads and the CQC

Aesthetics reports on the recent requirement to be CQC-registered for surgical procedures when offering thread treatments

In today’s digital world it is not uncommon for debates to surface on social media. A platform where you are able to freely express your views amongst like-minded peers often seems to be the place where many share their opinions – and that’s exactly what has happened with the recent announcement from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in relation to the registration for thread treatments carried out by healthcare professionals. A lot of the discussion has arisen in response to in an article penned by aesthetic practitioner Dr Phillip Dobson, in which it was suggested that there had been ‘a number of instances’ where practitioners have received ‘inconsistent’ information from various sources in regards to how clinics offering thread treatment should be registered. Dr Dobson then confirmed that he had received clarity from the CQC on its standpoint.1 The CQC stated, ‘Where the procedure of thread lift (i.e. involving the insertion of threads) is carried out by a healthcare professional, it falls within the CQC scope of registration, requiring the provider to register with the CQC for the regulated activity of surgical procedures’.1 However, this has divided members of the aesthetics community with many expressing their opinions and concerns that thread treatments are being classed as a ‘surgical procedure’. Should thread treatment be classed as a surgical procedure? Included in Regulation 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 20142 is surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes, which is implemented by the CQC. However, according to the Act, some treatments are excluded from this, including ‘the subcutaneous injection of a substance for the purposes of enhancing a person’s appearance’. As a result, many aesthetic clinics performing such treatments that involve an injection of a substance, such as botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, are not registered with CQC. Threads, however, have now caused debate. The CQC told Aesthetics that a PDO thread lift is within its scope of surgical registration because, ‘The thread lift procedure is carried out for cosmetic purposes and involves an instrument and/or equipment being inserted into a person’s body (face or neck). As such, it is considered a surgical procedure’. Dr Ian Strawford, aesthetic practitioner and threads trainer says, “It’s the interpretation of the procedure itself that I believe is causing upset, not the fact that you need to be CQC registered. Although you are inserting a medical device, PDO and PLLA threads are temporary as they are biodegradable. In my eyes, when referring to the ‘insertion of equipment’, this connotes something permanent, like breast implants for example.” Aesthetic nurse prescriber Jackie Partridge, who completed training in PDO thread and cog procedures, yet decided to stop performing the treatment as she believed it to be ‘too clinically invasive’, disagrees. “In my opinion, I believe that threads are a surgical procedure. It is also involving what I believe to be an invasive use of cannulas and you are physically leaving behind equipment (the thread) in the skin,” she says. As a result, Dr Strawford questions what the difference would be between this and botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, stating, “You could argue that there is no difference here as threads are no more dangerous, invasive or permanent than fillers, in my opinion.” Partridge challenges this, emphasising, “I think threads can be a lot more challenging than botulinum toxin or dermal fillers as the procedure itself is so invasive. I’m very sure there are many who are highly skilled in using threads and cogs, however as I’m sadly aware of non-medics and newly qualified medics offering these treatments, I personally feel that keeping this a surgical procedure maintains a barrier to misuse.”

How will this impact the industry? The laws are different across countries within the UK and in April 2016, it became illegal to operate an independent clinic in Scotland that is not registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).4 Although those practising within these clinics (who must be either a doctor, nurse or dentist) are still allowed to perform the treatment (as the CQC doesn’t regulate in this area), Partridge explains that threads are still recognised as ‘higher risk’ by HIS. Partridge clarifies, “Threads, have been deemed by HIS to be of higher risk (a surgical procedure) than botulinum toxin or dermal fillers and as a result, they are classed at a higher level. Medics offering this service must register with HIS that they are performing them. The higher risk level incurs a higher fee of £2,575 per annum (instead of £1,250 per annum for clinics with staff or £900 for singlehanded practitioners not offering this service), and that’s after the £2,550 initial registration fee required by each clinic. This fee is applied to each geographical site used, not simply per registered individual.”7 In Northern Ireland, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority5 does not currently regulate thread procedures. A spokesperson stated, ‘At present subcutaneous injections for cosmetic purposes are currently excluded from regulation in Northern Ireland’. At the time of

publication Healthcare Inspectorate Wales6 is yet to confirm their stance on the matter. Dr Strawford expresses concern that the regulation isn’t consistent across the UK saying, “It leaves us in England in a very difficult position and from speaking to my peers there seems to be fear, uncertainty and a lot of confusion. A huge majority of clinics who were previously performing threads would not be able to gain CQC registration because their facilities are not fit for this. For a surgical procedure, would they then would be required to have an operating theatre and a recovery room, for example?”8 He adds, “From the perspective of a training provider, we are having to look at other facilities that we normally train from as the current ones are deemed nonappropriate for surgical procedures. It also leaves us in a tricky position as to who we should be training. Strictly speaking, now it should only be those who are CQC registered.” Partridge echoes this point and questions who should be allowed to perform the procedure, “If it’s deemed surgical, should the practitioner performing the treatment not also have surgical training? I’m confident with my anatomical knowledge and it scares me to perform the treatment, let alone considering those performing the treatment who have limited anatomical knowledge. Unless you have been taught and understand about the position of the nerves in the face, the arteries, or structures such as the parotid gland, all of which are specifically relevant for threads, I don’t think you should be doing them.”

Moving forward Dr Strawford states, “It comes down to regulation yet again and where the industry is going with this. The question is, ‘Should all cosmetic procedures be under the remit of the CQC?’ and my view is yes, but they shouldn’t be considered surgical. This would help to bring standardisation and safety to the specialty and those who are non-medically qualified wouldn’t be able to get the registration.” He adds, “But we need to be really clear on what comes underneath the cosmetic remit in regards to surgical procedures, which will determine the registration required. We as aesthetic practitioners should help to guide the CQC as to what these really are.” Partridge agrees that ultimately it all comes down to regulation and concludes, “I’m a firm believer that where we can tighten up the standards, it can only be a good thing. Whether that’s through HIS, CQC or any other enforced regulatory authority, as long as there is a process in place it will help to filter out those who should not be performing the treatments. I just wish the law would restrict this treatment and other invasive procedures to medics only.”

REFERENCES

1. Dobson P, Dr Philip Dobson discusses Care Quality Commission registration for thread lift treatments, Aesthetic Medicine, February 2019 <https://aestheticmed.co.uk/site/featuresdetails/ dr-philip-dobson-discusses-care-quality-commission-registration-for-thread-lift-treatments> 2. Legislation.gov.uk, The Health and Special Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 <https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2014/9780111117613/contents> 3. Care Quality Commission, Choosing cosmetic surgery <https://www.cqc.org.uk/help-advice/ help-choosing-care-services/choosing-cosmetic-surgery> 4. Aesthetics, Clinic regulation comes into effect in Scotland, Aesthetics journal, 2016 < https:// aestheticsjournal.com/news/clinic-regulation-comes-into-effect-in-scotland> 5. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority <https://www.rqia.org.uk/> 6. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales <http://hiw.org.uk> 7. Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Independent Healthcare Services, Fees Information,

January 2017 < www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/inspecting_and_ regulating_care/independent_healthcare/regulation_fees.aspx> 8. Care Quality Commission, Inspection framework: independent acute hospitals, <https:// www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/inspection-framework-independent-hospitals-cosmeticsurgery.pdf>

First Aesthetics webinar a huge success

On March 11, more than 350 doctors, dentists and nurses tuned into the Anatomy of the Smile webinar hosted by Aesthetics Media in association with Galderma UK. The two-hour educational session, which was free to join, was rated as good to excellent overall by 92% of attendees, with 94% emphasising that they would attend future Aesthetics webinars, as well as recommending them to friends and colleagues. The webinar focused on the anatomy, assessment and treatment of the lips and perioral area, featuring sound advice on building your business from Professor Bob Khanna, detailed anatomy overviews from Mr Jeff Downie and Mr Mark Devlin, and a fantastic live demonstration of lip injection from nurse prescriber Jackie Partridge. After the session, one practitioner commented, “Excellent content; gained more understanding of the technology behind NASHA vs. OBT,” while another added, “Loved Jackie Partridge’s demonstration and how she delivers – total natural!” Many emphasised how valuable they found Mr Downie’s anatomy breakdown, in which he used the unique method of using playdough to demonstrate the different facial layers. “While we all know the layers, physically seeing them piled one on top of the other gave me a great sense of spatial anatomy,” said one viewer. Other attendees praised the overall delivery of the webinar, with one practitioner describing it as ‘highly informative and very beneficial’, emphasising that they ‘will definitely be tuning in again’. Another attendee commented, “Really enjoyed it. The time flew! All speakers were excellent and brought their own different skills. The quality of filming of the live demonstration was very good and easy to see.”

The next webinar in association with Galderma will be on the use of Azzalure botulinum toxin and will be held on Monday June 17 at 7pm. The webinar is open to doctors, dentists and nurses who have had their professional documents (GMC/GDC/NMC certificate plus proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence) authorised by DocCheck by Thursday June 13. Once documents have been approved, those interested in the webinar should register via the Aesthetics website. Those who attended the Anatomy of the Smile webinar will not have to resubmit their information to DocCheck, but will need to register for the webinar with their DocCheck password.