Paragraph 7 Surgical procedures

(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.