The Importance of Responding Quickly to Patient Concerns After Injectable Treatments

In aesthetic practice, responding promptly to a patient reporting side effects after an injectable treatment is essential for patient safety, trust, and legal accountability. Neglecting or delaying a response not only risks further harm to the patient but can also leave practitioners open to legal claims of negligence.

Practitioners owe a duty of care to their patients, as established in Donoghue v Stevenson (1932). This duty requires them to act reasonably to prevent harm. When a patient reports side effects such as swelling, pain, or other unexpected reactions, the practitioner’s responsibility is to respond promptly and review the patient to assess and manage the situation.

In legal terms, this brings us back to the Bolam Test, established in Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957). Under the Bolam Test, a practitioner is not negligent if their actions are supported by a responsible body of professionals in their field. However, Bolitho v City and Hackney Health Authority (1997) refined this by adding that the professional opinion must also be logical and defensible. A delay in responding to a potential complication, such as vascular occlusion or infection, may not pass the Bolam Test if it can be shown that a competent practitioner in the same situation would have acted sooner.

Beyond legal and clinical implications, responding swiftly to patient concerns is vital for upholding trust in the practitioner-patient relationship. Patients need to feel valued, supported, and reassured that their well-being is the practitioner’s priority. Prompt action also strengthens public confidence in the aesthetic industry as a whole. When practitioners consistently demonstrate care and professionalism, they not only protect their own reputation but also contribute to building trust and credibility within the wider community.

By prioritising patient safety and acting promptly, practitioners safeguard their patients, meet professional and legal standards, and maintain the public’s trust in their expertise and integrity.