READERS of the Tele will recall that I’ve been supporting calls to see regulation introduced for the medical aesthetics industry as at present, lay people can inject prescription-only medicines and perform borderline surgical procedures without having the proper training to do so.

Consequently, some people are being harmed and these botched procedures are having to be corrected by the NHS.

A recent opinion piece in The Herald outlines the frustrations felt by healthcare professionals working within the sector. They’re regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and must adopt a vast range of policies and implement safeguards before they’re allowed to provide aesthetic treatments.

The medical aesthetics industry in Scotland cannot remain unchecked, says Stuart McMillan MSP.The medical aesthetics industry in Scotland cannot remain unchecked, says Stuart McMillan MSP. (Image: Sam Moghadam Khamseh/Unsplash.com) However, if anyone without medical training wants to attend a private course (which often only takes between one and a few days) before offering these services, there is nothing stopping them – and nothing in place to ensure their premises, equipment and technique is safe.

A recent undercover investigation by ITV into a clinic in England providing one-day training courses worth £1,500 demonstrates how little regard some people within this industry have for people’s safety.

Without any training whatsoever, the videos show that trainees are almost immediately invited to carry out incisions and procedures on clients – and the owner claims they’ve only caused nerve damage or burst an artery a few times.

READ MORE: Inverclyde MSP wants Scotland to lead the way on regulating medical aesthetics industry

The investigation also shows that some people are being misled about the invasiveness of the procedure they’re signing up to until it’s too late and the damage is done.

Sadly, I am not convinced that similar practices are not also happening in Scotland – which is why I’ve written to the Public Health Minister regarding plans to consult on proposed legislation to crack down on lay injectors.

This situation cannot keep going on unchecked.