In a major regulatory shift set to impact the aesthetics sector, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has ruled that from June 1, 2025, independent nurse and midwife prescribers will no longer be allowed to remotely prescribe prescription-only medicines (POMs) for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The ruling follows the high-profile NMC Fitness to Practise case involving registered nurse Heather Hazzard, who faced serious misconduct allegations around remote prescribing and delegation. These included improper prescribing, failing to verify qualifications and dishonesty. The panel, chaired by Lucy Watson, imposed a striking-off order citing the gravity of the case and its implications for patient safety and public trust.
In a statement, the NMC said, “The NMC is updating its position on the remote prescribing of non-surgical cosmetic medicines, including certain anti-wrinkle injections and aesthetic emergency kit items. From 1 June 2025, nursing and midwifery prescribers will be required to consult with people face-to-face before issuing prescriptions for these procedures. We expect all nurse and midwife prescribers to deliver safe and effective prescribing practice every day, but inconsistent regulation of non-surgical cosmetic practice can present risks to people who use these services and the public. Face-to-face consultations support the mitigation of these risks, and adopting this position will better align the NMC with other health and care regulators.”
The move follows mounting concern across the aesthetics field and broader healthcare community around the inconsistent regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, particularly involving injectables and other POMs.
This landmark regulatory update is expected to have a significant impact on prescribing practices within the UK’s growing medical aesthetics sector, triggering operational shifts for clinics, prescribers, and cosmetic businesses alike.
Anne Trotter, NMC assistant director of education and standards, said, “Following our research and engagement, we’re confident that our updated position on the remote prescribing of non-surgical cosmetic medicines is in the best interest of public safety and protection. Nursing and midwifery prescribers provide competent and effective care to people every day. Face-to-face consultations will further improve their ability to assess people holistically and ensure non-surgical cosmetic medicines are prescribed as safely and appropriately. We’ll continue to engage with out stakeholders, professionals, employers and the public as we bring this new requirement into effect.”
In alignment with this regulatory update, professor David Sines and Andrew Rankin, co-chair of the joint council for cosmetic practitioners (JCCP) clinical advisory group (CAG) advised, “The JCCP has campaigned rigorously for professional statutory regulators to embargo and sanction the use of remote prescribing for non-surgical elective procedures. We consider that the cessation of such practices is a central requirement to ensure patient safety and public protection within the context of any future scheme of statutory licensing and regulation for the aesthetics sector in the UK. We warmly welcome the NMC’s decision to require all of their registered independent prescribers to undertake appropriate face-to-face clinical assessments before prescribing medicines associated with elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures.”
Aesthetics reached out to the British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN), who has been a vocal advocate for the recent regulatory change concerning remote prescribing. Amy bird, chair of BAMAN, said, “We are delighted that the NMC has taken this significant step towards safeguarding patients undergoing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. BAMAN has worked to champion face-to-face consultations and it is already part of our BAMAN Code of Conduct. We believe this change will strengthen public trust, protect vulnerable individuals and support our members in delivering safe and ethical care.”
Alexandra Mills, vice chair of BAMAN, commented, “This update is a clear reflection of our collective efforts as a profession to raise standards in medical aesthetics. Face-to-face consultations ensure a more thorough assessment, allowing practitioners to fully understand patient needs and risks. We are proud to have been part of the journey that led to this positive outcome.”
