The Scottish Government has announced plans to introduce the Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill, aimed at improving the safety and regulation of aesthetic treatments.
The proposed Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework to improve the safety and oversight of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, following concerns about botched procedures performed by untrained practitioners. Under the Bill, such procedures would only be permitted in facilities regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) or licensed by local councils.
Other key measures include a tiered licensing system based on the risk level of procedures, mandatory practitioner qualifications and the licensing of all treatment premises, according to the Scottish government. The Bill also proposes compulsory insurance, age restrictions for certain procedures and enforcement powers for local authorities.
These proposals follow the Scottish Government’s public consultation that launched in December 2024 and closed in February 2025. It proposed a tiered licensing system based on procedure risk and practitioner qualifications, and recommended that all non-surgical treatments be carried out in regulated or locally licensed premises. The recent Scottish Government consultation results are expected by the end of June.
The Bill is scheduled to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in March before next year’s election, and is one of five non-financial Bills outlined in first minister John Swinney’s Programme for Government on Tuesday May 6.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto vocalised concerns about the rising popularity of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, commenting, “It is increasingly visible on our high streets, however, the sector is not currently fully regulated. The Scottish Government is concerned about the resulting undue level of risk for patients. Anyone undergoing cosmetic procedures has a right to expect that they will be carried out by appropriately trained practitioners using reputable products and in hygienic premises. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.”
Jackie Partridge, independent nurse prescriber and member of the Aesthetics Clinical Advisory Board, said, “This is a fantastic step forwards in protecting the public and improving standards. This Bill will ensure that procedures are conducted only in suitably equipped premises registered with an appropriate regulatory body, and that all service providers meet defined professional standards.”
Independent nurse prescriber Frances Turner Traill also commented, “The first person I told about this development was a patient who had undergone surgery to fix botched, unlicensed work. Supporting her through the complications, I later saw her share her story at a government roundtable – giving a voice to countless silent victims. That moment marked a real shift in mindset. I cannot thank MSP Stuart McMillan and nurse prescriber Jill Best enough for their relentless hard work and commitment. Their dedication has been instrumental in driving this forward and pushing for the change our sector so urgently needs.”
