Latest news with #HannahMargBrown
The Herald Scotland
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
What is happening with Botox in Scotland?
Medically, Botox can be used to treat conditions such as chronic migraines, muscle spasms, excessive sweating and sometimes bladder problems. In cosmetic procedures, it has been most commonly known for smoothing out wrinkles on the face but more and more ways of its cosmetic use are being developed. And with its growing use comes growing concerns over lack of regulations. EXCL: Social media 'trends' like 'Barbietox' raise 'potential influence' concerns ahead of new regulation proposals on injectables and other cosmetic procedures in Scotland. I take a look for @heraldscotland @HeraldPols here: Video: — Hannah Brown (@HannahMargBrown) July 30, 2025 So what is the current situation with Botox in Scotland? At the moment, virtually anyone can train to provide Botox in Scotland. There is no legislation anywhere in the UK to stop non-healthcare professionals, such as beauticians, from training to use the injectables - although, as a prescription drug, it should not be available to non-prescribers. Training to carry out Botox consists of Level 6 and Level 7 qualifications and these require trainees to observe and then perform Botox procedures under supervision. Combined, both courses cost around £9000 and they can be completed over a few days. READ MORE: 'Barbietox' social media trend raises Scottish Botox fears Skin Deep: Inside Scotland's Beauty Industry – find all articles here Mounjaro: Scottish woman on highs and lows of weight loss drug Botched Botox Concerns All of this comes amidst a backdrop of recent botched botox cases. In August, the Herald embarked on a four-day investigation into Scotland's rapidly expanding cosmetic sector. The Skin Deep series came at a time when there was growing alarm over consumers falling victim to botched procedures and legal loopholes with one case of beef gelatine used instead of Botox reported to the paper. Only last month, it was reported that 28 people in the north-east of England have been left with potentially fatal botulism after having anti-wrinkle injections believed to have been fake. Is anything changing with Botox regulation in Scotland? The Scottish Government is aiming to bring forward a bill later this year aimed at tightening rules around non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Scotland. These proposals aim to close safety gaps that currently allow untrained individuals to perform potentially risky cosmetic procedures. These are the main changes proposed: Supervision Required: Botox and dermal fillers will now require supervision by qualified healthcare professionals. Qualified Practitioners Only: Higher-risk surgeries such as breast and buttock augmentations must be performed exclusively by qualified healthcare professionals. Minimum Age Introduced: A legal minimum age of 18 will apply to all cosmetic procedures. Risk-Based Licensing: Treatments are divided into three groups based on risk, with new licensing requirements for premises and practitioners regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). The proposals classify treatments into three distinct groups. The first of these is procedures such as microneedling, with the second being injectables like Botox or dermal fillers. The third includes 'breast and buttock augmentation'. The latter two would be required to take place in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Public health minister Jenni Minto has said: 'It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong. 'The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry. 'I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.' Bolder action needed? The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has welcomed the move but they are calling for stricter limits on who can perform injectable treatments - not just regulate it. BAAPS told The Herald: 'BAAPS have been in touch indirectly with the [[Scottish Government]] and Alastair Lowrie has been representing us there. We put in a response to the recent consultation. The proposals are a big step forward from the current situation but we would have preferred more restrictions on who can perform procedures in group 2 particularly.' The Herald also recently heard from the British Beauty Council who are urging ministers to consider the 'potential influence' of social media trends when drawing up new regulations on Botox and other procedures. The organisation which represents the UK's beauty industry at government level has also said any new legislation brought in by the Scottish Government should address concerns about 'vulnerable individuals'. The call comes as procedures such as 'Barbietox', also known as Traptox, have appeared as trending on online platforms such as TikTok. This treatment can involve 40 injections of Botox into your trapezius muscle to slim the neck and shoulders, emulating the physique often associated with the Barbie doll. Barbietox can alleviate tension headaches and neck pain however, there are risks as, if administered incorrectly or at the wrong dosage, the Botox could paralyse the muscle completely and also lead to respiratory problems. The UK Government told [[The Herald]] that they are urging anyone considering cosmetic procedures to consider the possible health impacts and find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner. UK ministers are also expected to share an update on cosmetic regulations in due course. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms are required to take steps to remove content where it is illegal to protect users from online harms. Matters involving online harms are often considered a UK Government issue as regulations of the internet are a reserved matter. However, seeking to follow trends like this without any red tape may prove dangerous for Botox users in Scotland. The Scottish Government has said engagement with Scotland's beauty and aesthetics industry will be "vital" as they progress proposals to regulate a range of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. A spokesperson added: 'We want to protect the public by ensuring treatments and procedures are undertaken in safe settings and by people who have the right skills and tools."
The Herald Scotland
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Unions demand action from Scottish Government over care worker pay row
In April this year, social care worker pay was increased to £12.60 in line with the Scottish Living Wage. However, unions want to see this increased to at least £15 an hour. Ahead of FMQs, care workers protest pay outside Holyrood with union bosses calling for immediate intervention from the Scottish Government. It coincides with strikes by Enable Scotland workers in Glasgow and Edinburgh Story for @heraldscotland soon — Hannah Brown (@HannahMargBrown) June 12, 2025 It comes as today, protestors set off from Tron Kirk in Edinburgh and marched down High Street to Holyrood, rallying against what the union Unison have described as "years of broken promises and delays" by the Scottish government regarding reform and funding of social care. The demonstration coincides with strikes by Enable Scotland workers in Glasgow and Edinburgh over their pay. The action is part of the first national care strike in Scotland in over a decade, which has already seen walkouts in East Renfrewshire, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. READ MORE: Hundreds of care staff to go on strike over £38m SNP U-turn Attending the protest, Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trade Union said: 'We are here today to support these enable workers who are unfortunately having to take strike action. "They are not doing it lightly. They are striking for better pay and conditions for care workers and this is actually a dispute for the whole care sector.' 'Enable don't hold the answer to paying these workers more. This is an issue that the Scottish Government's going to have to intervene on. These workers deserve to be paid for the very skilled work that they do and we should be starting with a baseline of £15 an hour. 'We need Scottish Government intervention now to ensure that the care sector doesn't collapse. 'We need the government to intervene to give a starting rate of £15 an hour, to give us proper collective bargaining rights across this sector and to make sure workers and charities like Enable are properly paid for the very highly skilled work that they do.' Ms Foyer also said she would like to know 'where the missing millions are' in terms of the Scottish Government's pledge to improve sick worker pay. In May, trade union Unison told The Herald the decision to go on strike was in response to a U turn on a pledge of £38m of extra funding by ministers made in 2021 after it agreed to improve pay and conditions in the sector. Unison Scotland's lead for social care Jennifer McCarey said: 'Care workers have had enough of delays and broken promises and feel they've no choice but to take their protest to the Scottish government.' The union represents around 600 workers at Enable Scotland and has agreed 'life and limb' cover with the employer during the strike to protect those most at risk. Enable Scotland employee Anna Baird said: 'If ministers value us as much as they say they do, then it's time they funded social care properly and paid us fairly. 'We love our jobs and don't want to be on strike. But we are some of the lowest-paid workers in the country and fed up of waiting." The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
