The notice was served on Clinique Modele Aesthetics, of School Road, Tettenhall Wood. The facilities offered non-surgical buttock augmentation injections with dermal filler, commonly referred to as Body Sculpting and/or Bum Filler.
Action was taken under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. of 1974 to avoid the risk of serious personal injury and possible death from the procedure when performed by improperly trained professionals.
The ban notice was issued following an assessment of the skills, knowledge and experience of those carrying out the procedure, a review of the equipment available on site and expert opinion from a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
The specialist’s report identified risks and complications associated with the procedure, including pulmonary embolism (a life-threatening blood clot), sepsis, deep vein thrombosis and fat and skin necrosis (death of tissue in the body).
Upon assessment, Clinique Modele Aesthetics was unable to demonstrate that its staff had sufficient training, skills and knowledge to:
- have a buttock augmentation, increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism and/or sepsis
- recognizes and adequately addresses complications that may arise during the procedure
- ensuring adequate consent, including recognition of the need for psychological assessment of certain individuals.
There was also no trained assistant during the procedure, no access to appropriate equipment, including an ultrasound machine, and no ability to prescribe medication on site in case of complications.
Clinique Modele Aesthetics is no longer permitted to carry out these activities from the premises and any other location in Great Britain. No appeal was made.
The popularity of surgical and non-surgical BBLs, in which fat or dermal filler is injected into the buttocks to change size or shape, has grown significantly in recent years. However, there is currently no standard licensing system in England for businesses offering the procedure.
A public consultation is to be held under the Health and Care Act 2022 to give the government powers to introduce such a system, but the timetable for this has yet to be set.
Because of the serious risks involved, the procedure is likely to be excluded from the scheme unless it is carried out by someone who is on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register.
Wolverhampton City Council therefore took action using existing powers provided by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. of 1974 with the aim of protecting residents from possible harm.
Councilor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for the city’s environment and climate change, said: “We have based our decision to issue this ban on expert medical advice and with the aim of preventing any harm to our residents.
“The provision of these procedures is currently unlicensed and although work is underway to agree a standardized licensing system, it is not known how long this will take. We have therefore taken this action in the interim as we believe people could be putting themselves at real risk.
“When not performed with the required level of training and skill, this type of procedure can cause serious injury, pain and even death. We don’t want anyone to suffer these dire consequences.
“We are able to issue prohibition notices where we have concerns and will continue to take a proactive approach. This will include identifying and investigating other businesses that offer this service.”
Marc Pacifico, consultant plastic surgeon and President of BAAPS, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said: “BAAPS seeks to promote patient safety in cosmetic and surgical procedures.
“We fully support the decisions taken by Wolverhampton City Council. The risks involved in injecting filler can be significant, especially when injected blindly into the buttocks.
“Furthermore, nonmedical education in both the procedure and the recognition and management of risks and complications puts patients at significant risk of harm. We hope that other councils across the UK will follow this example of decisive action to protect the public.”
Residents and businesses with concerns can email environmentalhealth@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
