Medical aesthetics clinic KAST, led by nurse prescriber and chair of the British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses Amy Bird, has launched KAST Academy.
According to Bird, KAST Academy is an independent training academy which aims to bridge the gap between professional qualifications, clinical competence and practical application through structured educational pathways for aestheticians, advanced skin therapists and medical professionals.
The Academy promotes multidisciplinary collaboration and education tailored to practitioners’ professional scope. Its programmes cover foundational qualifications and advanced skin health management, including skin anatomy, skin disease management, dermoscopy, assessment skills and appropriate referral. A partnership with aesthetic distributor Healthxchange pharmacy also provides access to professional skincare training, business support and further development opportunities.
KAST Academy also plans to introduce injectable education for appropriately qualified medical professionals in 2027. Bird shares the proposed programmes will focus on continuing professional development, structured mentorship, anatomical knowledge, evidence-based decision-making and ongoing clinical support, with the aim of supporting practitioners in developing safe and accountable clinical practice.
Bird commented, “I wanted to create the educational pathways that I have so often struggled to find for my own business. But I also believe we need to challenge who we entrust with delivering education. Being able to perform a treatment does not automatically make someone qualified to teach it. Our students are investing their money, time and trust, and they deserve educators who are genuine subject experts, who have the appropriate teaching skills and who have walked the walk. Ultimately, I don’t want our success to be measured by the number of certificates we issue, but by the calibre of practitioners we help develop and the contribution they make to patient care.”