Listed below are some scenarios which may help you decide if you need to register with us.
Who should register?
Where we have mentioned a particular professional in our scenarios, this can be read in the context of any of the professionals covered by the scope of the definition of independent clinics:
- doctor
- dentist
- nurse
- midwife
- dental care professional
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 1
I am a nurse and I provide treatments and consultations in a room within a hairdressers shop. I rent the room from the hairdresser and pay them a room hire fee. I purchase all my treatments and consumables myself. The clients I treat are mine and they pay me directly for the treatment or consultation.
In this situation the nurse, or his/her company, must register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as he/she, or his/her company, is the provider of the service. If the nurse rents rooms in a number of different premises then each premises must be registered.
In this situation the nurse, or his/her company, must register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as he/she, or his/her company, is the provider of the service. If the nurse rents rooms in a number of different premises then each premises must be registered.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 2
I am a nurse and I am asked to provide treatments or consultations to clients of a business which offers a range of beauty treatments and therapies. I am paid by the business for the time I am working in the premises and they purchase all the equipment, treatments and consumables I need. The clients I see do not pay me directly they pay the business.
In this case the business which is employing the nurse and offering the treatments must register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as they are the provider of the service. If the business has a number of premises and the nurse works from more than one, each of the premises where the nurse works must be registered.
In this case the business which is employing the nurse and offering the treatments must register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as they are the provider of the service. If the business has a number of premises and the nurse works from more than one, each of the premises where the nurse works must be registered.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 3
I am the director of a business which offers a range of beauty therapies and aesthetic medical treatments. I employ both doctors and nurses to work in my business as well as a number of other professional staff, such as beauty therapists.
In this case you must register your business with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as your business is the provider of the service. If the doctors and nurses you employ work in more than one premises then you must register every premises they work from.
In this case you must register your business with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, as your business is the provider of the service. If the doctors and nurses you employ work in more than one premises then you must register every premises they work from.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 4
I am a surgeon and I have practicing privileges at an independent hospital. I am following the hospital policies and procedures. All of my consultations, treatments and procedures take place at the hospital using their facilities.
In this case the hospital you are working from should already be registered with us and you do not need a separate registration.
In this case the hospital you are working from should already be registered with us and you do not need a separate registration.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 5
I am a dentist. I treat some of my clients on behalf of the NHS and some of my clients pay me for their treatment.
In this case you do not need to register with us as your practice is inspected by the local health board that you provide services for.
In this case you do not need to register with us as your practice is inspected by the local health board that you provide services for.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 6
I am a dentist. All of my clients pay me for their treatment. I have no relationship with the local health board at all.
In this case you are providing services in an independent clinic and therefore you will be required to register with us.
In this case you are providing services in an independent clinic and therefore you will be required to register with us.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 7
I am doctor and I provide a range of consultations and treatments from a room or rooms in or attached to my home.
In this case your home becomes an independent clinic and therefore you must register with us. However, we will only grant your registration if the environment you practice from meets the requirements of the regulations and the national care standards.
In this case your home becomes an independent clinic and therefore you must register with us. However, we will only grant your registration if the environment you practice from meets the requirements of the regulations and the national care standards.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 8
I am a nurse and I provide a range of consultations and treatments to my clients in their own homes.
In this case you are providing the services of a clinic. You must apply to register the permanent premises you operate from as an independent clinic. We will expect that you will be able to demonstrate that you can meet the requirements of the regulations and national care standards, particularly in relation to the environment and infection control, in all the places that you provide consultations and treatments. If you think this scenario closely matches the way you work, please contact us to discuss your application before you submit it.
In this case you are providing the services of a clinic. You must apply to register the permanent premises you operate from as an independent clinic. We will expect that you will be able to demonstrate that you can meet the requirements of the regulations and national care standards, particularly in relation to the environment and infection control, in all the places that you provide consultations and treatments. If you think this scenario closely matches the way you work, please contact us to discuss your application before you submit it.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 9
I am a doctor and I rent space in premises where the primary use is something other than healthcare or beauty treatments and therapies, for example a community centre, serviced offices or hotel. I see my clients here and provide a range of consultations and treatments.
In this case you are providing the services of a clinic. You must register the permanent premises you operate from as an independent clinic. However, we will only grant your registration if the environment, in all the premises you work from, meet the requirements of the regulations and the national care standards. If you think this scenario closely matches the way you work, please contact us to discuss your application before you submit it.
In this case you are providing the services of a clinic. You must register the permanent premises you operate from as an independent clinic. However, we will only grant your registration if the environment, in all the premises you work from, meet the requirements of the regulations and the national care standards. If you think this scenario closely matches the way you work, please contact us to discuss your application before you submit it.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 10
I am a GP and I provide services on behalf of the NHS.
In this case you do not need to register as an independent clinic as you are providing services as a part of the NHS.
In this case you do not need to register as an independent clinic as you are providing services as a part of the NHS.
Non-urgent advice: Scenario 11
I am a GP and my clients pay me for consultations and treatments.
In this case you are providing services in an independent clinic and you must register with us.
In this case you are providing services in an independent clinic and you must register with us.
Online provision of health and care services
Online provision of health and care services challenges the existing regulatory landscape by transforming how care is delivered, where and by whom.
With our UK partners, we are undertaking actions and developing plans to ensure appropriate regulation.
Currently services that are delivered online and have no premises that patients can visit are not regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
How to register with us
You can register a new service with us online.
If you need more advice
If you would like to speak to our team contact:
Tel: 0131 623 4342
Our enquiry line is open from 10am to 2pm Monday-Friday.
If you do not need to speak to a member of staff, but have a query you would like answered, you can also email: his.ihcregulation@nhs.scot