HIS, HIW or CQC: who regulates your aesthetics clinic?

The short answer: it depends where you are. Scotland has Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), Wales has Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), and England has the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with a separate licensing scheme on the way. Each covers different things.

Scotland: HIS

Independent clinics run by registered healthcare professionals register with HIS. Scotland also passed a new law on non-surgical procedures in March 2026, with clinics told to expect to comply by September 2027. If you're in Scotland, this is the one to act on now.

Wales: HIW

HIW registers certain independent healthcare services, including Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and intense pulsed light. I've been through the laser paperwork for my own clinic in Cardiff, and the amount of policy writing surprised me.

England: CQC and licensing

CQC regulates specific activities. Standard cosmetic anti-wrinkle and filler treatments generally sit outside it today, but treating medical conditions and some other services bring you in. A licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is written into the Health and Care Act 2022, but it isn't in force yet. Some councils also run their own licences.

What they all want

Policies. Infection control, consent, complaints, safeguarding, medicines, emergencies, record keeping, and evidence you follow them. That's why we offer made-for-you policy packs for HIS, HIW and CQC.

Rules change, and your regulator has the final say. Check their website before you rely on any guide, including this one.

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