BHP assist company with medical product launch

Darlington GP Dr Fatah Kareem and his nursing colleagues have established Derma-Medical Ltd, a private clinic providing professional facial procedures.

The industry is currently not governed by formal regulations but the partners in the new business have taken professional legal advice from Blackett Hart & Pratt Solicitors to ensure they have all necessary prescribing capability and insurances in place.

Company law solicitor Zoe Rayment, who is based at BHP’s Darlington office, has incorporated the business on their behalf and is finalising a bespoke shareholder agreement for the partners.

Practice nurse Alison Matthews, who has been qualified for 25 years, explained: “We have all worked in the industry for a number of years and therefore understand what the pitfalls are and how many unscrupulous and unqualified people are offering these services.

“Some clinics are superb and are run very professionally, but there are others that will probably not be able to continue when the Health Commission brings out regulations within the next year. We welcome regulation and regular inspection of premises to ensure public safety and we hope our medical backgrounds and experience will give clients extra confidence.”

Derma-Medical has been working closely with the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.

The clinic will perform services including wrinkle-reducing procedures, dermal filling to plump and enhance lips and hyper-hydrosis for people who suffer from excessive sweating, as well as minor skin procedures.

Dr Kareem qualified 19 years ago and ran a private medical practice in Germany before taking his current post as a GP at Moorlands surgery in Cockerton, Darlington.

New clients will be asked to sign a consent form under the direction and support of Dr Kareem, who will explain the procedures to ensure clients are fully aware of all aspects of the treatment they opt to undergo.

Alison said, in addition to medical safety, the focus of the clinic would be on client privacy and confidentiality.

She added: “We are all health professionals so establishing a business has been quite a journey for us. We have spent six months planning it. The professional legal advice we have had from Zoe at BHP, as well as her help in actually setting up the business, have been invaluable.”