The British Association of Sclerotherapists (BAS) is a non-profit UK professional organization dedicated to improving standards, promoting best practices, and providing training and education guidelines for sclerotherapy treatments (foam, liquid, and microsclerotherapy).
The BAS supports its members through educational webinars and conferences, sets standards for training providers, offers support materials for practitioners and patients, and collaborates with stakeholders to raise the organization's profile and ensure proper regulation of sclerotherapy.
Membership is open to healthcare professionals registered with a professional body who can provide proof of training, experience, and appropriate medical indemnity insurance. All members must adhere to the BAS Code of Conduct.
Here's an easy-to-read summary of the BAS Code of Conduct:
Section 1: Health and Safety
Safe Environment: Members must practice in a safe environment that meets Health and Safety Regulations and the requirements of the Care Quality Commission or other licensing authorities.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Use appropriate PPE after conducting a risk assessment for procedures.
Annual Training: Complete all annual statutory training required by your professional body, including at minimum, Basic Life Support and Infection Control.
Anaphylaxis Management: Have written procedures, necessary drugs, and equipment to manage anaphylactic reactions.
Hepatitis B Immunity: Members must have Hepatitis B immunity/vaccination.
Section 2: Competence
Professional Limits: Work within the limits of your professional competence.
Training and Expertise: Provide evidence of training and expertise that aligns with UK Medical Royal Colleges or professional bodies.
Continuing Education: Undertake and provide evidence of ongoing medical education and professional development to keep skills current.
Legal Compliance: Stay updated on laws and statutory codes of practice affecting your work.
Insurance: Maintain appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Professional Body Compliance: Be registered with and act according to the codes of conduct of your professional body (GMC/NMC).
Section 3: Advertising
Advertising Standards: Adhere to Advertising Standards Agency and Committee of Advertising Practice guidelines when advertising.
Prescription-Only Medications: Do not advertise Prescription-Only Medications to the general public.
Section 4: Social Media
Professional Guidelines: Comply with professional organization guidelines on using social networking sites.
Advertising Rules: Adhere to ASA and CAP advertising guidelines that apply to social media.
Definition of Social Media: Social media includes web-based applications like Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, which connect users and allow for the creation and exchange of user-generated content (text, images, video, audio).
Section 5: Consent
Valid Consent: Ensure the patient can give valid consent before treatment.
Clear Information: Provide information in concise, plain language, both verbally and in writing.
Information Details: The information should cover:
Diagnosis and prognosis (treated and untreated).
Alternative treatments, including not treating.
Explanation of the treatment process and what to expect during and after.
Required lifestyle changes and aftercare.
Common risks and serious side effects.
How and when progress will be monitored.
Name of the responsible practitioner and contact information, including for emergencies.
Costs and charges.
Privacy: Conduct consultations in private and with dignity.
Honesty: Respond honestly to questions and be accurate and objective.
Probabilities: Explain the likelihood of success, failure, and risks.
Cooling-Off Period: Normally, do not treat a patient on the same day as the initial consultation to allow time for consideration.
Review Consent: Review and confirm consent at the start of each treatment session.
Section 6: Record Keeping
Accurate Records: Keep clear, accurate, legible, and up-to-date patient records.
Record Content: Records should include:
Medical history (conditions, medications, allergies, previous treatments).
Consultation and examination findings.
Patient ideas, concerns, and expectations.
Information given to the patient.
Drugs and treatment prescribed and administered.
Details of treated areas, drug strength, foam administration, volume, and post-treatment appearance.
Details of unexpected outcomes (e.g., bleeding, vasovagal event, skin reaction).
Follow-up care details, complications, and outcome.
GP Notification: It is good practice to inform the patient's General Practitioner when treating disease, disorder, or injury. Obtain signed patient consent before sharing medical information with other healthcare professionals.
Per Visit Entry: An entry should be made each time the patient is seen.
Data Protection: Comply with General Data Protection Regulation (UKGDPR); records must be stored securely.
Section 7: Responsible Prescribing, Supply, and Administration of Medicines
Prescribing Authority: GMC registered practitioners and NMC Independent Nurse Prescribers can prescribe prescription-only medicines on a named patient basis after making a safe diagnosis.
Delegation: Prescribing doctors or nurses may delegate treatment administration to appropriate practitioners.
Prescriber Responsibility: The prescribing doctor or nurse is responsible for patient care and managing complications/complaints.
Complication Management: Members should know how to manage complications.
Unlicensed Drugs: Inform patients when prescribing unlicensed drugs and record this in notes.
Non-Prescribing Members: Non-prescribing members can administer treatment under the direction of a doctor or Independent Nurse Practitioner for a named patient.
Protocols: Treatments must follow written protocols produced by a trained and experienced practitioner and approved by the Registered Person.
Nurses and Medicines: Nurses are accountable to the NMC code for medicine administration; in England, they cannot hold prescription-only medicines as stock, and it must be prescribed per named patient.
Insurance: RCN insurance typically does not cover cosmetic procedures; separate insurance is needed if performing procedures in non-CQC premises or for cosmetic purposes.
Adverse Reactions: Record and report any adverse drug reactions as required by the relevant reporting scheme (e.g., Yellow Card scheme).
Section 8: Appraisal
Annual Appraisal: All members must have an annual appraisal as set out by their professional body, which is a condition of membership.
Separate Appraisal: A separate appraisal or supporting documentation from an approved assessor may be required if sclerotherapy is not part of their core practice (Follett principles).
Doctors: Doctors registered with the UK GMC need an annual appraisal, following GMC guidelines for appraisal and revalidation.
Nurses: Registered nurses have a legal requirement to maintain NMC registration by completing:
450 hours of registered practice in the previous three years.
35 hours of learning activity (Continuing Professional Development) in the previous three years.