In a landmark move to boost public safety, the UK Government has announced plans to legally protect the professional title “nurse”, making it a criminal offence for individuals to use the term unless they are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
This long-awaited decision is a major step forward for professional standards in both healthcare and aesthetics, following sustained calls from the sector and support from organisations such as the British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN).
It comes hot on the heels of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) announcement around remote prescribing, which will mean all nurse and midwife prescribers must conduct face-to-face consultations before prescribing non-surgical cosmetic treatments from 1 June 2025.
This legal clarification will offer greater protection for patients and support for qualified aesthetic nurses working in a competitive and often unregulated market. It also sends a clear message that titles matter, especially in a sector where trust and professionalism are key to making sure that treatments are delivered safely and ethically.
Until now, anyone could call themselves a "nurse" regardless of qualifications, including those struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for serious misconduct or criminal convictions, potentially misleading the public and undermining the standards upheld by trained professionals. The new protections will help build public confidence and mean only those appropriately trained and registered can present themselves as nurses.
Previous reported examples of the job title being misused include someone calling herself a nurse at a large public event after being struck off and another reportedly masquerading as an aesthetic nurse. There will be exemptions for relevant professions like veterinary nurse, dental nurse and nursery nurse, where the title ‘nurse’ is legitimately used.
Aesthetic practitioners and clinic owners should make sure all team members using professional titles are compliant with NMC regulations. This announcement also reinforces the importance of clarity in communication and terminology across the aesthetics industry, a topic our founder and CEO Eddie Hooker recently published an article on in Aesthetic Medicine magazine.
In its release, on International Nurses Day, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) wrote: “The government is listening to nurses and recognises they are the backbone of the NHS, and today’s announcement follows campaigning by unions for the government to act on the issue, as well as by Dawn Butler MP who introduced a ten minute rule bill earlier this year to protect the title ‘nurse’.
“Through the Plan for Change, the government is driving forward vital reform to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. This year, a refreshed workforce plan will also be published to ensure the health service has the right workforce in the right place at the right time.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I’ve been appalled to read reports of so-called nurses spreading dangerous misinformation and harming the public. This new legislation will help crack down on bogus beauticians and conspiracy theorists masquerading as nurses and those attempting to mislead patients.”
Only the title ‘registered nurse’ is currently protected in law. The new legislation will change that, meaning that only those individuals registered with the NMC can legally use the title. Anyone violating this will be committing a criminal offence and could face a hefty fine running into thousands of pounds.
“There have been previous reports of bogus nurses misleadingly using the title. One ran a cosmetic clinic offering Botox and dermal filler treatments for several years despite not being registered with the NMC”, the DHSC added.
For practitioners looking to establish or grow their careers in aesthetics, this is an important time to make sure you're using appropriate language, understanding regulatory requirements, and aligning with best practice.
We recommend revisiting these helpful resources:
This announcement aligns with wider regulatory reform in medical aesthetics, including moves toward licensing, practitioner registers and updated prescribing guidance. It also reinforces the ongoing shift towards greater accountability and professionalism across the board.
Hamilton Fraser will continue to monitor developments and support practitioners with clear guidance, training resources and expert insights. If you're unsure what this means for your business or practice, please don’t hesitate to reach out or explore our latest updates via the Hamilton Fraser Content Hub.
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