Review Wales’ Special Procedures Licensing Scheme to protect livelihoods and public safety.

We support strong infection-control standards, but the current scheme can prevent practitioners accessing suitable workplaces. We ask Welsh Government to introduce a designated treatment-room model so licensed practitioners can take responsibility for a compliant room within another business, while inspection, handwashing, cleanable surfaces, sharps and waste controls remain mandatory. A proportionate pathway is also needed for temporary/community locations, with Recognition of Prior Learning where existing infection-control training meets the standard. Mobile acupuncture raises a clear inconsistency: practitioners may risk-assess unfamiliar homes, yet be unable to use a dedicated clinical room because the host business will not take on premises licensing. The economic impact on self-employment, rural services, room-rental businesses and welfare costs should be reviewed. England is developing licensing for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, so lessons from Wales matter UK-wide.