Botox Errors and Dermal Filler Negligence

Botox and dermal filler treatments are some of the most common of all cosmetic and non surgical procedures available. Botox injections can commonly be carried out by therapists with limited clinical training or experience.

Procedures can go wrong or may not be carried out correctly. Botox injections do carry with them a number of risks including:

• Facial disfigurement
• Paralysis of the face and bodily muscles
• Inability to talk properly
• Allergic reactions
• Headaches
• Impaired or blurred vision
• A disappointing result
• Emotional distress and unhappiness

In both the UK and Ireland, steps are being taken to clamp down on cosmetic interventions carried out by doctors, nurses, and others, who are not appropriately qualified or indemnified to do so safely and skilfully. In April2014, the UK’s Department of Health published its final report into the Review of Regulation on Cosmetic Interventions. Some of the key recommendations include:

• A register of everyone who performs surgical or non-surgical cosmetic interventions
• Classifying dermal fillers as a prescription only medical device
• Ensuring all practitioners are properly qualified for all the procedures they offer
• All non-surgical procedures must be performed under the responsibility of a clinical professional who has gained the accredited qualification to prescribe, administer and supervise aesthetic procedures
• A ban on special financial offers for surgery
• An advertising code of conduct with mandatory compliance for practitioners
• Compulsory professional indemnity in case things go wrong
• An ombudsman to oversee all private healthcare, including cosmetic procedures, to help those who have been treated poorly.

In the view of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, their guidelines, Professional Standards for Cosmetic Practice, state that only licensed doctors, registered dentists and registered nurses should provide any cosmetic treatments (including laser treatments and injectable cosmetic treatments).

In both the UK and Ireland, legislation is pending that will make indemnity or insurance for all practitioners become obligatory, and the Medical Council would be able to stop a practitioner from practicing if he or she did not have adequate cover. This would make sure patients could access compensation.