The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010

Surgical procedures

7.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (5), surgical procedures (including all pre-operative and post-operative care associated with such procedures) carried on by a health care professional for—

(a) the purpose of treating disease, disorder or injury;

(b) cosmetic purposes, where the procedure involves the use of instruments or equipment which are inserted into the body; or

(c) the purpose of religious observance.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the following procedures are excepted from sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) nail surgery and nail bed procedures carried out by a health care professional on any area of the foot; and

(b) surgical procedures involving the curettage, cautery or cryocautery of warts, verrucae or other skin lesions carried out by—

(i) a medical practitioner, or

(ii) another health care professional on any area of the foot.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) only applies where the procedures are carried out—

(a) without anaesthesia; or

(b) using local anaesthesia.

(4) The following cosmetic procedures are excepted from sub-paragraph (1)(b)—

(a) the piercing of any part of the human body;

(b) tattooing;

(c) the subcutaneous injection of a substance or substances for the purpose of enhancing a person’s appearance; and

(d) the removal of hair roots or small blemishes on the skin by the application of heat using an electric current.