Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Second Report - The impact of body image on mental and physical health
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 114
Published 2 August 2022
Recommendations
2
Acknowledged
Commission and fund new research into causes of body image dissatisfaction and social media impact.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the National Institute for Health Research, commission and fund new research to understand the causal pathways that are leading to a rise in body image dissatisfaction across the …
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Government Response Summary
The government highlighted NIHR's significant existing mental health research funding and openness to applications on body image, noting ongoing collaborations for eating disorders research. It stated that NIHR will continue to explore ways to address the recommendation for new research into the causal pathways of body image dissatisfaction.
Department of Health and Social Care
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10
Acknowledged
Establish a national ‘Screen Cross Code’ public health campaign for children’s safe screen use.
Recommendation
We echo the call of our witness Professor Sandeep Ranote for the creation of a national public health strategy akin to the 1970s ‘Green Cross Code’. A ‘Screen Cross Code’ would be a nationwide public health campaign, which would use …
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Government Response Summary
Health Education England, the General Medical Council, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council welcome the recommendation and are committed to ensuring healthcare professionals have the necessary resources and training to discuss and address body image issues. However, the response does not commit to the proposed 'Screen Cross Code' national public health campaign.
Department of Health and Social Care
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18
Acknowledged
Para 109
Introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures by July 2023.
Recommendation
The risk of exploitation of vulnerable groups seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures is too great and we recommend that to prevent further exploitation, the Department immediately draws up a clear timeframe for the consultation process. We urge the Government to make …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the need for suitably trained and qualified practitioners for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and commits to working with the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners and other stakeholders to consider whether further education and training requirements are necessary. However, it does not provide a clear timeframe for consultation or commit to introducing the licensing regime by July 2023.
Department of Health and Social Care
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20
Acknowledged
Para 114
Introduce two-part consent and 48-hour cooling-off period for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Recommendation
We recommend that the new licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures includes a commitment to a two-part consent process for anyone considering having a non-surgical cosmetic procedure, including, at a minimum, a full medical and mental health history, as well …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure consumers can make safe and informed choices about cosmetic procedures, but committed to no specific actions regarding the recommended consent process or cooling-off period.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Conclusions (2)
21
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 117
There should be specific premises standards for all beauty salons and non-CQC registered premises providing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Local Authority Enforcement Officers should be given extended powers to enforce compliance with a nationally agreed set of premises standards.
Government Response Summary
The government stated its general desire for the public to trust medicines and devices used in non-surgical cosmetic procedures and for practitioners to market responsibly, but committed to no action on premises standards or enforcement powers.
25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 127
We welcome the decision to prohibit advertising for cosmetic procedures being directed at under-18s and we look forward to the results of the 12-month review of this new measure
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's welcome of the ban on advertising cosmetic procedures to under-18s, confirming the ban came into effect on 25 May 2022 through CAP rules covering all media.