Superdrug will introduce stricter mental heath checks for customers hoping to use its new Botox service following a prompt from the NHS’s medical director.

The multiple has agreed to bring in extra safeguarding processes to make sure those seeking the service do not suffer from anxiety over their appearance or another mental health condition.

Superdrug made the decision after NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis sent it a letter outlining his concerns.

The multiple said it had met with the NHS to ensure its services have ‘the highest safety standards and quality of patient care’, although it has always assessed customers’ mental health as part of the service’s consultation process, it said.

‘This assessment is woven through the consultation by our trained and qualified aesthetic nurse practitioners, whose experience and qualifications far exceed current standards,’ it added.

‘Our consultations last an hour to allow our nurse practitioners time to undertake a full and extensive consultation.  This enables us to ensure we understand our patients’ reasons for wanting aesthetic treatments. It also flags to our team any risks or concerns related to a patient’s mental health.’

 

Superdrug protocol

 

Superdrug said that following its meeting with the NHS, it had added additional questions specific to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) during its consultation.

If patients express any ‘concerning’ behaviour during the consultation, the service’s nurse practitioners will refer them to their GP.

 

‘Avoidably exposed to danger’ 

 

Professor Powis said: ‘The lack of tough checks on cosmetic surgery procedures means that the public is dependent on businesses taking voluntary steps to get their house in order, leaving people avoidably exposed to dangerous practices.

‘Businesses that take action to deal with people responsibly, work to prevent harm and set themselves a high bar for their practices should make others follow suit.’