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.”

-Ends-

Enquiries:

Yell
Demelza Fryer-Saxby, Yell Press Office
Tel: 0118 950 6977 or 0118 9506999
Email: demelza.fryer-saxby@yellgroup.com

Healthcare Commission
David Burrows
Tel: 0207 4489439
Email: david.burrows@healthcarecommission.org.uk

Independent Healthcare Advisory Services
Sally Taber
Tel: 020 7379 7721
Email: sallytaber@independenthealthcare.org.uk
Visit: www.independenthealthcare.org.uk

Mapperley Park Clinic
Gina Croft, Cacique Public Relations
Tel: 020 7250 4750
Email: gcroft@caciquepr.com


About Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages directories are published by Yell, a leading international directories business operating in classified advertising markets in the UK, US, Spain and Latin America through printed, online and telephone-based media. Yell’s principal brands include: in the UK, Yellow Pages, Yell.com and 118 24 7; in the US, Yellow Book and Yellowbook.com; and in Spain, Paginas Amarillas and PaginasAmarillas.es. All these brands are trademarks. www.yellgroup.com

About the Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission is the health watchdog in England. It keeps check on health services to ensure that they are meeting standards in a range of areas. The Commission also promotes improvements in the quality of healthcare and public health in England through independent, authoritative, patient-centred assessments of those who provide services.

Responsibility for inspection and investigation of NHS bodies and the independent sector in Wales rests with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The Healthcare Commission has certain statutory functions in Wales which include producing an annual report on the state of healthcare in England and Wales, national improvement reviews in England and Wales, and working with HIW to ensure that relevant cross-border issues are managed effectively.

The Healthcare Commission does not cover Scotland as it has its own body, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) undertakes regular reviews of the quality of services in Northern Ireland. For further information visit: www.healthcarecommission.org.uk

About Mapperley Park Clinic
The Mapperley Park Clinic, based in Nottingham, offers a complete range of cosmetic procedures. It operates nine laser and IPL systems, as well as the entire range of non-invasive treatment techniques including skin rejuvenation, tattoo removal, hair loss treatment and varicose vein treatment – to name a few. Consultant specialists provide access to the next tier of invasive procedures extending the range further. For further information visit: www.mapperleypark.co.uk