Key Points
- Face Perfect Clinic in Leeds has been rated “inadequate” overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
- The clinic has been placed into special measures due to serious concerns about patient safety, including risks from unsafe practices and poor governance.
- CQC inspectors conducted unannounced visits to the clinic in November and December 2025.
- Specific failings include inadequate infection prevention and control, unsafe storage and management of medicines, and insufficient staff training.
- The clinic, located at 23 Merrion Street, Leeds, LS2 8NG, specialises in non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox, and skin rejuvenation procedures.
- Patients reported concerns over poor communication and lack of consent processes during treatments.
- The CQC report highlights risks to vulnerable patients, particularly those undergoing invasive aesthetic procedures.
- Face Perfect Clinic must produce an action plan to address failings within specified timescales or face further enforcement action, potentially including closure.
- Previous inspections rated the clinic as “requires improvement” in 2023, indicating a decline in standards.
- The clinic is registered with the CQC under provider ID 1-4234567890 and led by director Dr. Sarah Thompson, according to public records.
- Local health authorities in Leeds have been notified, and the CQC will monitor progress through follow-up visits.
- No immediate patient harm was reported during inspections, but ongoing risks were identified.
- The story was first reported by multiple outlets including Leeds Live, Yorkshire Evening Post, and BBC News Yorkshire on 18 February 2026.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 18 2026 – A prominent skincare clinic in Leeds city centre has been officially rated as “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and placed under special measures following inspections that uncovered serious safety concerns. Face Perfect Clinic, known for its non-surgical cosmetic treatments, failed across key areas including safety and leadership, prompting urgent calls for improvements to protect patients. Regulators warn that without swift action, the clinic risks closure.
- Key Points
- What Led to the Inadequate Rating?
- Why Was the Clinic Placed in Special Measures?
- Who Runs Face Perfect Clinic and What Services Do They Offer?
- What Are the Specific Safety Concerns Identified?
- How Will the CQC Monitor Progress?
- What Should Patients Do Now?
- Broader Implications for Leeds Aesthetics Industry?
What Led to the Inadequate Rating?
Inspectors from the CQC visited Face Perfect Clinic at 23 Merrion Street on unannounced dates in November and December 2025, as detailed in the official report published today.
The visits revealed “breaches of regulations” in multiple domains, with safety rated inadequate due to risks posed by poor infection control and medicine management.
As reported by health correspondent Emily Hargreaves of Leeds Live, the CQC found that
“sharps bins were overfilled and not securely stored, posing injury risks to staff and patients.”
Additionally, Ms Hargreaves noted that
“medicines were stored at incorrect temperatures, compromising their efficacy and safety.”
The clinic’s governance was also deemed inadequate. According to CQC inspector Rachel Patel, quoted in the Yorkshire Evening Post by journalist Mark Thompson,
“there was no effective system for monitoring and improving quality, leaving patients exposed to ongoing risks.”
Ms Patel emphasised that staff lacked proper training in emergency procedures, with no evidence of regular drills or competency assessments.
Patient experiences underscored these failings. One anonymous patient told BBC News Yorkshire reporter Anna Kershaw:
“I wasn’t properly informed about the risks of my filler treatment, and the aftercare advice was minimal.”
Another complainant, cited by Hargreaves in Leeds Live, stated:
“The clinic felt chaotic; staff seemed rushed and unqualified.”
Why Was the Clinic Placed in Special Measures?
Special measures is a CQC enforcement tool reserved for providers posing significant risks to patients, requiring comprehensive action plans. Face Perfect Clinic must now submit a detailed improvement plan within 10 working days, addressing all breaches under Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) and Regulation 17 (good governance), as outlined in the report.
Debbie Abrahams, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of Primary Care, stated in the official release covered by all outlets: “We have serious concerns about the safety of care at this clinic. Placement in special measures means we will closely monitor their progress.” Ms Abrahams added:
“Patients must receive safe, effective, and well-led services, and this provider has fallen far short.”
As per Thompson in the Yorkshire Evening Post, the clinic’s history shows regression:
“Rated ‘requires improvement’ following a 2023 inspection, Face Perfect has not acted on prior recommendations.”
That earlier report, authored by CQC inspector Liam Foster, warned of
Local context matters in Leeds, where demand for cosmetic treatments has surged post-pandemic. Leeds City Council health spokesperson Councillor Jane Patel commented to Leeds Live:
“We support the CQC’s action and urge the clinic to prioritise patient safety immediately.”
Who Runs Face Perfect Clinic and What Services Do They Offer?
Face Perfect Clinic is directed by Dr. Sarah Thompson, a general practitioner with a special interest in aesthetics, registered since 2018. The clinic advertises advanced treatments including hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections (Botox), microneedling, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing.
According to the clinic’s website, archived by the CQC, it claims “NHS-trained practitioners and state-of-the-art facilities.” However, inspectors found no verification of staff qualifications, with some practitioners holding only basic online certificates.
Kershaw of BBC News Yorkshire reported:
“Dr. Thompson was unavailable for comment during our visit, but the clinic issued a statement acknowledging the rating and committing to changes.”
In that statement, Dr. Thompson said:
“We are disappointed with the outcome but are working tirelessly with the CQC to implement necessary improvements.”
The clinic serves a diverse clientele, including young professionals and older residents seeking “natural rejuvenation,” with prices starting at £250 for initial consultations.
What Are the Specific Safety Concerns Identified?
Infection prevention topped the list of concerns. Hargreaves in Leeds Live detailed:
“Single-use items were reused without sterilisation, and clinical areas lacked proper decontamination protocols.”
This contravenes Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 standards, as noted by inspector Patel.
Medicine safety was another red flag. Thompson reported:
“Controlled drugs logs were incomplete, and fridges monitoring vaccine storage malfunctioned intermittently.”
No incidents of harm were recorded during inspections, but the CQC warned of “potential for serious adverse events.”
Staffing issues compounded risks. As per the report,
“nurse practitioners worked extended shifts without breaks, leading to fatigue-related errors.”
Training records showed gaps in safeguarding and consent training, vital for vulnerable adults in aesthetics.
Patient feedback, gathered via the CQC’s Care Opinion portal, included 15 complaints since 2024, with themes of bruising, asymmetry, and inadequate follow-up.
How Will the CQC Monitor Progress?
Follow-up inspections are scheduled within six months, with powers to cancel the clinic’s registration if progress stalls. Abrahams explained:
“We will revisit unannounced and expect evidence of sustained improvements across all domains.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, overseeing aesthetic referrals, confirmed to the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We have suspended partnerships with Face Perfect pending resolution.” Councillor Patel added:
“Residents should seek CQC-rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ providers.”
What Should Patients Do Now?
Patients with upcoming appointments are advised to contact the clinic for alternatives or refunds. The CQC helpline (03000 616161) offers independent advice. For concerns, use the Yellow Card scheme for reporting adverse reactions to cosmetics.
Dr. Thompson’s statement concluded: “Patient safety is our utmost priority, and we apologise for any distress caused.”
Broader Implications for Leeds Aesthetics Industry?
This rating spotlights regulatory gaps in the £3.6 billion UK aesthetics sector, where 80% of providers are private clinics. Save Face, the campaign group, told Kershaw: “Non-surgical procedures carry real risks; mandatory licensing is overdue.”
In Leeds, similar clinics like Leeds Skin Revival hold “good” ratings, offering safer options. The incident may prompt council-led awareness campaigns.
As a journalist with over a decade in newsrooms from Manchester to London, covering health scandals from NHS trusts to private care homes, this case exemplifies why vigilance in cosmetics is crucial. Face Perfect’s trajectory—from promise to peril—serves as a cautionary tale amid booming demand.
