So far, this year has been an exciting one for the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN).
Our membership steadily grows, and the buzz of face-to-face meetings once again has been energising for the organisation.
Zoom meetings are now a distant memory, as we have been running our regional events around the UK. These meetings have received a hugely positive response from our members. We are keen to reach them all throughout the UK and have restructured the regions. This has resulted in new leads and more meetings. Therefore, our sponsors are increasingly visible to a higher number of nurses. We are fortunate to have members who have been qualified in medical aesthetics for several years, and there are also members who are newer to the industry. We have received positive feedback that newer members do benefit from those with more experience. However, ultimately, we all learn and grow from learning about each other's experiences. It is a great way to feel supported in what can, at times, be an isolating role for some. The assistance of others and having the opportunity to discuss various issues, such as the availability of different products, among other concerns, is a real source of support for our members.
Looking to the rest of 2022
Over the next few months, the BACN will be offering digital events every month, and all events are offered with continuing professional development (CPD) points for revalidation. The next round of regional meetings will begin again during the autumn, and our annual conference will be on 15–16 September 2022, which will be the first since 2019 and is greatly anticipated by us all.
The Spring Symposium was a sell-out and a great success. A national 1-day event held at the prestigious Royal College of Physicians, London, it was an energising day. It was amazing to have prominent speakers supporting the day, and so many of our members were present for this inaugural event. Thank you to all our supporters, members and organisations who have been actively involved.
Keeping practitioners and patients safe
As previously mentioned, aesthetic practitioners may work in isolation. As per our Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of conduct (2018), it is imperative that we adhere to the rules that keep us and our patients safe. It could be argued that our work puts us in a vulnerable situation. Do not feel that you cannot reach out to local members, your lead or HQ, where our team are always available to support you.
Of course, there is the current situation, whereupon anyone can practise aesthetics. It is hugely frustrating that there is currently no regulation, and we are now even limited by Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements, while lay people are not. However, our professional code sets us apart from non-medics. Recently, there has been news of practitioners being held to account for actions that may or may not have been purposefully conducted or demonstrate ignorance of the situation they may have found themselves in. Ignorance is not an excuse, and these situations can be difficult to navigate. Our insurance providers can offer advice if required. However, the NMC code (2018) sets out its requirements for registered nurse practitioners, and it should be ingrained in our practice.
» Sometimes, patient expectations are challenging, particularly with the pressures of social media. We have a duty to offer patients the most appropriate care and to be candid in our consultations about the appropriateness of treatment, what we can offer and if we are the most appropriate person to treat them «
Updated guidance
In March 2022, the NMC and General Medical Council (GMC) collaborated to refresh the professional duty of candour guidance that sets out professionals' responsibility to be open and honest about what happened when things go wrong in healthcare (NMC and GMC, 2022). The guidance is a collaboration between the NMC and the GMC that was first published in 2015.
The guidance applies to all healthcare professionals and supports nurses, midwives and nursing associates to address concerns and speak up and reflect on their actions, helping to promote a culture of openness.
There are two parts to the guidance:
- Nurses, midwives and nursing associates have a duty to be open and honest with the people who use services, as well as those close to them. This includes explaining when and why things have gone wrong and apologising to them
- Professionals also have a duty to report incidents and be open and honest with their colleagues, managers and employers. This may include their health board, trust or head office, as well as the NMC (NMC and GMC, 2022).
We have a duty of care to our patients. It is incumbent that we document our consultations and advise patients on the benefits of the treatment, the risks associated with it and what it is that we are treating them with. Patients can be vulnerable, especially in our field of practice. The patient journey enables us to build rapport and support them in their quest for feeling better about themselves. To this end, sometimes, deciding not to treat and to instead offer guidance is the right path to take. Sometimes, patient expectations are challenging, particularly with the pressures of social media. We have a duty to offer patients the most appropriate care and to be candid in our consultations about the appropriateness of treatment, what we can offer and if we are the most appropriate person to treat them. Unfortunately, there are times when treatments can go wrong. These situations are rare, but it is the way in which they are dealt with that is crucial. Understanding the professional duty of candour guidance (2022) is a necessary requirement in medical aesthetic practice.
Celebrating nurses
The BACN is very proud of the calibre of its members. We were reminded of this when seeking out regional leads. Nurses are expanding their education in medical aesthetics, and there is much to be celebrated. This gives credibility to medical aesthetics, a relatively new sphere of practice, as it means that nurses are putting themselves at the forefront of this sector and setting themselves apart from non-medics. The BACN has supported nurses with bursaries for prescribing, and the autumn conference aims to shine a light on the nurses who are raising the standards in our sector.
To conclude, there is much to celebrate in this sector, and the BACN are proud to be playing such a crucial part in supporting nurses through their aesthetics journey. The organisation has come a long way over the years; it was an inciteful group that first founded the BACN in 2009. The board is grateful for the support of our members, as, without them, we would not have the success that we are celebrating today. Thank you!