Yellow Pages works with healthcare groups to stop advertising of unregistered laser treatment clinics - 19 September 2007
Yellow Pages has launched an initiative to prevent unregistered beauty clinics from advertising laser therapy treatments in its directories in England.After a successful pilot scheme, the terms ‘laser’, ‘IPL’ or ‘intense pulsed light’ will only be permitted in future Yellow Pages advertisements for businesses that are registered to carry out such treatment with the Healthcare Commission. This involves checking with the Commission as to whether an intended advertiser is registered to carry out such work and therefore whether the terms ‘laser’, ‘IPL’ or ‘intense pulsed light’ can be included in the advertisement.
The action relates to four specific Yellow Pages classifications: Beauty Salons & Consultants, Electrolysis & Laser Hair Removal, Cosmetic Surgery, and Tattoo Removal.
The move follows discussions between Yellow Pages, the Healthcare Commission and healthcare body, the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS), amid growing concern at unregistered individuals and clinics illegally using lasers and intense pulsed lights to remove facial hair and skin blemishes. Mistakes can lead to burns and scarring.
Under The Care Standards Act 2000, it is a criminal offence to carry out treatments with certain classes of lasers and intense pulsed lights without being registered.
Due to the success of the scheme, Yellow Pages is now looking to work with the relevant Scottish and Welsh health watchdogs to widen its initiative to cover businesses in those regions.
Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, the publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: “Supporting and protecting consumers is of paramount importance to us. We’re pleased that we have been able to work closely with the healthcare regulator and industry to introduce important new processes to ensure our directories remain as reliable and helpful to our consumers as possible.”
Maureen Campbell, independent healthcare policy and practice manager at the Healthcare Commission, said: “It is important that people seeking treatments using laser or intense pulsed light use a service which has been registered with the Healthcare Commission. Registration not only reduces the risk of poor practice, but also assures people using the services that the provider meets national minimum standards for safe care.”
Paul Stapleton, managing director of Nottingham-based Mapperley Park Clinic, a member of the IHAS, said: “This is a real step forward for the industry. Consumers should always use a registered clinic. Improperly administered laser therapy can lead to permanent scarring.”
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