Nurse Rachel Treatment Policy

Clinic Name: Nurse Rachel Matlock
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 08.08.25
Review Date: 08.08.26
1. Policy Statement
At Nurse Rachel Aesthetics we are committed to delivering safe, effective, ethical, and patient-centred aesthetic treatments. All procedures are performed in accordance with current clinical guidelines, legal requirements, and professional standards. This policy ensures that patient care prioritises safety, outcomes, and informed decision-making.2. Purpose
This policy aims to:
• Protect patient health, wellbeing, and satisfaction
• Ensure all treatments are evidence-based and medically appropriate
• Minimise the risk of complications and adverse events
• Promote continuous professional development and compliance
• Support informed consent and ethical practice3. Scope
This policy applies to:
• All aesthetic treatments offered at the clinic (e.g. Botox, dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation, etc)
• All healthcare professionals and practitioners working at the clinic
• All stages of the patient journey: consultation, consent, treatment, aftercare, and follow-up4. Practitioner Responsibilities All practitioners must:
• Hold valid qualifications and appropriate insurance for each treatment provided
• Be registered with relevant regulatory bodies (e.g. NMC, JCCP)
• Practice within their scope of competence
• Undertake regular CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and training
• Follow current clinical guidelines and product manufacturer instructions
• Keep detailed, accurate, and timely clinical records5. Patient Assessment
Before any treatment is performed:
• A thorough medical and aesthetic consultation is ideally completed before any treatment is booked to ensure the recommended treatment is safe, appropriate and evidence-based.
• Patients are required to fully and accurately complete the clinic's medical history and consent forms as part of the booking process, and in any event prior to treatment commencing. Treatment will not proceed until these forms have been completed and reviewed by the treating practitioner.
• Patients must promptly notify the clinic of any change to the information provided (including medical history, medication, or allergies) between booking and the date of treatment.
• Psychological suitability is considered (e.g. screening for body dysmorphic disorder)
• Clinical photographs are taken as part of standard clinical documentation to support assessment, treatment planning, and continuity of care. Consent to clinical photography is a condition of receiving treatment and is separate from any consent to use images for marketing purposes. Photographs will only be used for marketing, social media, or promotional purposes where the patient has given separate, explicit, written consent, which may be withdrawn at any time by notifying the clinic. Withdrawal of marketing consent does not affect the clinic's ability to retain clinical images as part of the patient's medical record.
• A personalised treatment plan is created and reviewed with the patient6. Informed Consent
Prior to treatment:
• The patient receives clear, honest information about:
• The procedure
• Benefits and risks
• Alternatives
• Possible complications and side effects
• That aesthetic results vary between individuals due to factors such as anatomy, skin condition, and healing response, and that no specific or guaranteed outcome can be promised for any treatment7. Payment
• Fees for treatment are payable at the time of booking or treatment, as confirmed to the patient prior to appointment.
• Where a patient requests further treatment following a review appointment, and the practitioner determines that request arises from a change in the patient's aesthetic preference rather than a clinical complication or under-correction, that further treatment will be charged as a new elective procedure at the clinic's standard rates.
• Deposits and cancellation charges will be confirmed to the patient at the time of booking and are non-refundable except where required by law.8. Expected Post-Treatment Effects
Patients are advised, and confirm their understanding, that aesthetic results vary from patient to patient and that no specific or guaranteed outcome can be promised, and that the following are recognised and expected features of the healing process following aesthetic treatment, and do not in themselves constitute a clinical complication:
• Temporary swelling and bruising at or around the treatment site;
• Temporary asymmetry while product settles and swelling resolves;
• Gradual, rather than immediate, settling of the final result, which may take several weeks;
• The possibility of minor product migration in some cases;
• The possibility that further treatment may be required to achieve the desired clinical outcome.Where any of the above persists beyond the expected timeframe discussed at consultation, or the patient has concerns, they are encouraged to contact the clinic promptly so the practitioner can assess whether a genuine complication has arisen.
9. Lip Enhancement: Settling Period and Additional Treatment
• The aim of lip enhancement treatment is to achieve the outcome agreed in the patient's treatment plan. Swelling and asymmetry are expected during the settling period, which typically lasts up to weeks, during which the final result cannot be properly assessed.
• Where the planned treatment has been completed appropriately and, following the settling period, there is no clinical indication for correction (such as material asymmetry, under-correction against the agreed plan, or a complication), any request for additional volume or enhancement will be considered a new elective treatment and charged at the clinic's standard rates.
• Where the practitioner identifies a clinical indication for correction, any necessary adjustment will be carried out at the practitioner's discretion in accordance with clause 12.10. Anti-Wrinkle (Botox) Review Appointments
• Unlike dermal filler treatments, it is commonplace clinical practice for anti-wrinkle treatment to require a review appointment, typically weeks after initial treatment, at which the practitioner assesses the result and, where clinically appropriate, applies a small amount of additional product to achieve full effect ("top-up").
• Where a Botox review appointment is booked within the timeframe advised by the practitioner and a top-up is clinically appropriate, this will not be charged as a separate treatment, in line with normal clinical practice for this treatment type.
• This does not apply where the patient is seeking a different or more pronounced aesthetic effect than originally agreed, or where the review is requested significantly outside the advised review window, in which case it will be treated as an elective treatment.11. Aftercare requirements
• The patient must have time to consider their decision (cooling-off period encouraged)
• Where required medical history, treatment expectations assessment, or consent documentation has not been completed in advance of the appointment, the clinic reserves the right to decline to proceed with treatment on the day and to reschedule the appointment, to ensure the patient is given adequate time to provide full and informed consent
• Consent is revisited and reaffirmed at each appointment12. Clinical Discretion
• All decisions regarding whether to proceed with, adjust, or decline treatment (including further or repeat treatment) remain at the sole discretion of the treating practitioner, exercised in accordance with their professional and clinical judgment.• The practitioner may decline to provide further treatment, including at a review appointment, where they consider that treatment is not clinically appropriate, necessary, or in the patient's best interests, notwithstanding any request from the patient.13. Treatment Environment
All treatments must be delivered in a clean, safe, and clinically appropriate environment, with:
• Regular infection prevention and control measures
• Up-to-date emergency equipment and first aid kits
• Suitable lighting, equipment, and sharps disposal
• Medical-grade products stored and handled according to manufacturer guidelines14. Product Safety
• Only CE-marked or MHRA-approved products are used
• Products are sourced from authorised, licensed suppliers
• Batch numbers and expiry dates are recorded for traceability
• No expired or counterfeit products are used under any circumstance15. Managing Complications
In the event of an adverse reaction or complication:
• Immediate appropriate medical care is provided
• The event is fully documented and reported (internal incident form)
• Patients are supported and reassured
• Referrals are made if needed (e.g. hospital, GP)
• Serious incidents are reviewed and used as learning opportunities
16. Review Appointments
• Where a review appointment is offered following treatment, its purpose is to allow the practitioner to assess healing, symmetry, and clinical outcome against the treatment plan agreed at consultation.
• A review appointment is not a guarantee of, and does not automatically include, complimentary additional product, adjustment, or "top-up" treatment. Whether any further treatment is provided at no additional cost remains at the practitioner's sole clinical discretion, and will only be offered where the practitioner determines that the result falls outside the expected range of a satisfactory clinical outcome for the treatment provided.
• A request for additional treatment made by a patient because they have changed their mind about their desired aesthetic outcome, rather than because of a clinical complication or under-correction, will be treated as a new elective treatment and charged accordingly. Follow-up and Aftercare
• Patients are given clear aftercare instructions (verbal and written)
• Follow-up appointments are scheduled where appropriate
• Patients can contact the clinic post-treatment for advice or support
• Aftercare is documented in the patient record17. Continuous Improvement
• Patient satisfaction is monitored via feedback and reviews
• Policies and procedures are reviewed annually or following an incident18. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed:
• Annually
• Following any adverse incident or patient safety concern
• In line with updates to clinical guidelines, regulations, or best practice standards
19. Policy Updates and Patient Queries
• This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in clinical guidelines, regulations, or clinic procedures.
• Patients will be provided with a copy of the current policy upon booking. Patients are welcome to contact the clinic at any time with questions about this policy or their treatment.