Cons of leaving the NHS for aesthetics

Explore the challenges of transitioning from the NHS to aesthetic medicine

Cons of leaving the NHS for aesthetics

1. Loss of job security

One of the main concerns you may have when thinking about leaving the NHS is the loss of job security and guaranteed income. And this is valid.

Unlike NHS positions, which offer stable employment and salaries, transitioning to aesthetics involves inherent risks and uncertainties, including fluctuations in income and patient demand.

If you choose to run your own business, becoming self-employed comes with its own challenges.

For example, you won't get sick pay or maternity pay or get paid when you take time off for a holiday.

2. Transition to entrepreneurship

Moving from the structured environment of the NHS to the entrepreneurial landscape of aesthetics needs a significant shift in mindset and skillset. You will need to adapt to the demands of running a business, including marketing, financial management, and patient relations, which may pose challenges for those accustomed to the structure of their NHS role.

Many people find this hard. If you have made the leap to working for yourself, you may have to start managing staff, thinking about tax and finances in ways you haven’t before, and marketing yourself and your services.

Many practitioners also find it difficult to start charging patients when they have come from an environment where they have never had to discuss money before, so think about how you feel about placing a value on your services and speaking to patients about costs.

3. Ethical considerations

Aesthetic medicine is still an unregulated market, and although the Government's consultation on a new licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures means things are shifting in this area, there are currently no formalised training pathways.

This means the sector is sometimes subject to ethical scrutiny, and there are societal perceptions that it is about vanity or superficiality. Some people report family members or other medical colleagues not seeing aesthetics as a recognised field of medicine.

You will need to take all this into consideration and make sure you uphold ethical standards in patient care and treatment delivery, balancing patient desires with professional integrity.

4. Challenges in building a practice

Establishing a successful aesthetics practice is about more than clinical expertise. It’s a competitive market, and you will need to create effective marketing, network, and build your business acumen.

You may find it difficult to attract patients in a crowded marketplace, meaning you will need to be strategic and plan to overcome challenges. Check out our article on writing a business plan for more advice on this.