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Follow on Google News | Laser Clinic Directory Restricts Listings to Protect Laser Hair Removal & IPL Treatment PatientsFollowing the recent deregulation of the industry, directory website WhichLaserClinic.com calls for greater enforcement of regulations surrounding laser hair removal clinics in the UK and provides recommendations for new hair removal clinics.
Confusion left in the wake of the withdrawal of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulation of clinics offering aesthetic laser and ipl treatments such as hair removal have cast doubts over the safety of customers opting for laser hair removal. The strict certification which the clinics had to satisfy to have CQC approval has been replaced by a somewhat less than cohesive range of local authority special treatment licenses. The quality and specification is at the whim of the local authority, leaving the potential for glaring inconsistencies in its wake. The standard of special treatment licenses is currently under review by a government department who are working with the CQC and the Department of Health to provide recommendations to local authorities for an inspection pro-forma and enforcement expectations, maintenance requirements and, where necessary, access to specialist knowledge. Currently http://www.whichlaserclinic.com is carrying out a check of how councils are responding to this new challenge but at present (November 2010) will only be listing clinics with CQC registration history. This decision will be reassessed in April 2011 when it is expected local authorities will be up to speed with their new role. Reasons why greater enforcement is needed for laser hair removal clinics: The following figures are courtesy of the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM): 78% of complications occurred in non-traditional medical facilities, such as freestanding medical spas and laser centres in shopping malls; 46% of complications occurred with hair reduction; 21% of complications occurred with laser/light leg vein treatments; and 42% of complications were permanent. Whilst the CQC were enforcing standards, these were some of the examples of malpractice they came across:- • undertaking treatment with no medical history to assess contraindications • no expert medical protocols to establish treatment parameters, contraindications and cautions for treatment • no certified laser protection advisor or laser protection supervisor to ensure compliance with local rules and protocols • no local rules to identify and maintain safe and controlled area • no evidence of valid consent highlighting potential risks and side effects of treatment • poor client/patient record keeping with little evidence of treatments received and energy levels used • little or no evidence of staff training in the use of lasers/intense pulsed lights and safety • little or no evidence of laser/intense pulsed light machine service, maintenance and repairs • no adverse/near miss incident reporting system • laser/intense pulsed light eye safety goggles damaged or not identifiable to the specific laser/intense pulsed light WhichLaserClinic.com recommendations for new laser clinics: Currently WhichLaserClinic.com are recommending laser establishments to check on recommendations from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), ensure that their lasers conform to BS laser safety standards, have suitable medical indemnity insurance etc. and follow the 32 core standards and three service specific standards previously enforced by the CQC as set out below: C1 Information for patients C2 Patient-centred care C3 Management of patient conditions C4 Monitoring quality C5 Care of the dying - not applicable C6 Patients’ views C7 Policies and procedures C8 Role and responsibilities of the registered manager C9 Human resource policies and procedures - C10 Practicing privileges C11 Compliance with professional codes of practice C12 Healthcare workers and blood borne viruses C13 Child protection procedures C14 Complaints process C15 Information for patients about complaints C16 Workers’ C17 Healthcare premises C18 Condition and maintenance of equipment and supplies C19 Catering for patients C20 Risk management policy C21 Health and safety measures C22 Medicines management C23 Ordering and storage of medicines C24 Controlled drugs C25 Infection control C26 Medical devices and decontamination C27 Resuscitation C28 Contracts C29 Records management C30 Completion of health records C31 Information management C32 Research Service-specific standards P1 - Laser and intense pulsed light treatment protocol written by an expert medical practitioner. P2 - Staff training for laser and intense pulsed light treatments P3 - Local rules and laser/intense pulsed light controlled area For more information on laser hair removal, PCOS, and to list a laser and ipl treatment clinic, visit http://www.whichlaserclinic.com # # # WhichLaserClinic.com is a directory of clinics founded by experienced people within the hair removal industry who had been working with Verity - the PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) charity - to offer discounts on various hair removal products. WhichLaserClinic.com is owned and maintained by Laser Clinic Services (Europe) LLP. End
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