JCCP issues statement on treatments that fall outside of its five treatment modalities
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has published guidelines on ‘Adjunctive Therapies and Orphan Treatments’.
There are five core modalities in non-surgical aesthetics which the JCCP and the CPSA (The Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority) have mapped and published standards against in which its registrants are expected to evidence their competence in line with these frameworks for each modality they perform. These are: Hair Restoration Surgery; Injectable Toxins; Dermal Fillers; Lasers and Light and Skin Rejuvenation (Micro-Needling and Chemical peels).
However, the JCCP has now issued a statement to acknowledge and affirm its position on the range of treatments that sit outside of its recognised five, referred to as “adjunctive” which may be complimentary to primary treatments or “orphan treatments” which may be stand alone.
The statement read, "The JCCP accepts that our registrants may elect to perform adjunctive and/or orphan therapies. Adjunctive therapies relates to any non-surgical aesthetic procedure that a registrant performs in addition to those registered modalities that are formally recognised by the JCCP. These may include, for example, the adjunctive use of injectable local anaesthetic or stand-alone treatments such as plasma replacement therapy or threads. It is important to understand that these treatments are not currently recognised by the JCCP or CPSA as ‘registered modalities’ and as such the council has not set or adopted benchmark standards of proficiency for these treatments and is unable endorse evidence of practitioner competence to perform them safely or effectively. While we do not ask registrants to refrain from offering adjunctive/orphan” treatments, we do of course expect that all registered members apply their professional standards and ethical responsibility to uphold client/patient safety and public protection at all times, irrespective of the status of the procedure."
“The scope of your practice is a way of describing what you are trained and competent to do. It describes the areas in which you have the knowledge, skills and experience to practise safely and effectively in the best interests of patients”. (GDC 2015)
It goes on to say that it is "also important registrants do not suggest or imply to their clients/patients that the treatment being provided by them is recognised by the JCCP or that their competence to perform such procedures has been verified or endorsed by the council."
This statement informs and reminds all registrants on both parts of the register the expectations when carrying out any treatment with regard to safe, ethical and responsible practice
Applicable Standards
You must be familiar with the CPSA overarching principles, the JCCP Competency Framework (2018) and the JCCP published Code of Practice. You must apply these in all areas of your practice and in addition demonstrate compliance with:
Lawful Standards of Practice
The JCCP requires you to declare that you practise ethically and lawfully at all times. This must apply to all aspects of all treatments you perform; you must make yourself aware of legal requirements specific to any orphan and adjunctive treatments that you might use in your everyday practice. Where your role requires you to prescribe for these treatments, you must refer to the JCCP prescribing guidance on ‘Responsible Prescribing Practice’.
Premises Standards
As a JCCP registrant you must ensure that your premises are safe and that they meet the requirements against the published JCCP checklist for both generic and specialist areas of procedural practice. Adjunctive or orphan treatments must take place within the premises to which these standards apply and further, you must make any additional arrangements and adjustments necessary to ensure that you practise within your defined scope of practice. You must also comply with any legal requirements for registration, including CQC in England or, in Scotland, HIS.
Supervision Requirements
The JCCP and the CPSA do not set down specific supervision requirements for orphan and adjunctive treatments. However, it is a requirement that all practitioners have access to some form of supervision. For orphan and adjunctive treatments, the JCCP expect Registrants to assess risk, including the requirement to intervene safely and effectively in the event of an adverse incident, and apply supervision standards accordingly, with the aim of maintaining patient safety and public protection. This is particularly important if you are not a registered healthcare prescriber or you have limited experience in any defined area of practice.
CPD Requirements
The JCCP requires you to be up to date in your practise through continuous professional development. A minimum of 50 hours CPD per year is required and this should include orphan and adjunctive treatments (if you are performing such procedures as part of your practice), in addition to those modalities/treatments for which you are registered to deliver by the JCCP and must be reflected in your personal development/CPD requirements. It is part of the JCCP’s responsibility to seek evidence that Registrants meet these requirements by undertaking an annual sample of Registrant compliance with the Council’s CPD standards and procedures. The JCCP regards CPD to be essential to ensure that Registrants are able to evidence the fact that they are appropriately trained and proficient to perform any treatment that they provide to members of the public (including any adjunctive treatment that they might elect to perform). CPD also provides evidence that the Registrant has reflected on their practice and that learning from their CPD has taken place.
Safe Products
All Registrants are responsible for ensuring that the products they use for orphan and adjunctive treatments are appropriately and ethically sourced and licensed (where appropriate).
Insurance
All Registrants must ensure that they possess current and up to date indemnity insurance to cover all treatments performed within the context of their scope of practice.
Training
The JCCP does not accept non-JCCP approved education training qualifications as evidence of competence. In these situations, it is the Registrant’s responsibility to assess the extent to which any non-JCCP approved education and training undertaken meets the Registrant’s requirements to demonstrate their competence, capability and accountability to enable them to practise safely, responsibly and effectively.
