A CLINIC that offers surgical treatments including breast enlargements has closed after being ordered to make urgent improvements to infection control procedures.

Elanic on Bath Street, which offers a ‘mummy makeover’ package and injectable treatments including lip fillers was rated “unsatisfactory” for safe delivery of care by health watchdogs in a new inspection regime.

Floors in the theatre room were found to be dusty, a surgical table was rusty and the clinic hadn’t taken steps to reduce the risk of legionella in the patient shower room.

Sterile surgical equipment was stored on dirty shelves and breathing tubes for patients during surgery were stored next to sinks which raised the risk of ‘splash contamination.’

Inspectors said there was “no evidence” that the ventilation system was up to the required standard.

Read more: List of all cosmetic treatment clinics registered with new health watchdog 

The clinic, which also operates on West Regent Street, was issued with four immediate requirements by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) during the inspection, which was carried out in February, and three which must be in place by July 26 as well as eight recommendations.

In a statement the clinic said all immediate requirements were remedied within the timeframe and the clinic has been closed to make “longer term improvements’ in line with the report’s recommendations including installing a state-of-the-art  ventilation system. The business is operating from West Regent Street while the refurbishments are carried out.

Inspectors said care was provided in a responsive and respectful way and patients were fully informed about their treatments.

All private clinics which provide injectable cosmetic procedures are now required to register with HIS and are subject to inspections. More than 400 have registered.

Beauticians and beauty therapists that provide cosmetic treatments are not required to register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.  

However the Scottish Government is currently looking at ways to extend regulation into this sector of the industry.

Read more: Glasgow Means Business: Dr Judy Todd of Synergy Advanced Skincare Aesthetics 

A spokewoman for Elanic said the company actively lobbied for improvements in the regulation of aesthetic clinics.

She said: “Health and safety is absolutely paramount to everything we do at Elanic and our service levels and infection rates for key procedures are recognised as world-class by Sanondaf, a leading European company which specialises in disinfection and decontamination. 

“While we were pleased the inaugural HIS report on Elanic made a number of positive observations, in particular, capturing extremely positive feedback from our patients, we were naturally disappointed and surprised with some of the observations, which recommended actions be taken by the clinic. 

"All recommendations were remedied within the timeframes outlined, and we are additionally closing the clinic to reconfigure and upgrade our facilities and ventilation system next week. 

"Changes to our theatre ventilation system, which employs HEPA filtration and far exceeds recommended standards, will allow Elanic to maintain our world class facility for years to come.

“In due course we look forward to welcoming HIS back and would like to reiterate our absolute commitment to patient care.”