Accreditations and Professional Standards

London Wart Clinic operates within the regulatory framework of UK healthcare and maintains professional standards through our clinicians’ membership in recognised medical bodies. This page explains the regulatory oversight, professional qualifications, and safety standards that govern wart removal services in the UK, and what patients should consider when selecting a clinic.

Regulatory Oversight in UK Private Healthcare

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

All private medical services in England that provide surgical procedures, including wart and verrucae removal, must register with and meet the standards set by the Care Quality Commission. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

CQC inspection framework covers:

Safety: Are people protected from abuse and avoidable harm?
Effectiveness: Does treatment achieve good outcomes and follow evidence-based guidance?
Care: Are patients treated with kindness, dignity, and respect?
Responsiveness: Are services organised to meet patient needs?
Leadership: Is the service well-led and does it have effective governance systems?

Our parent facility, City Dermatology Clinic, operates under CQC registration. The CQC publishes inspection reports publicly, and ratings are available on its website. CQC registration is not an optional accreditation or an award—it is a legal requirement for safe clinical practice in England.

What this means for you: Your treatment is delivered in a facility that meets mandatory UK healthcare standards. The clinic is subject to inspection and must demonstrate compliance with fundamental standards of quality and safety. CQC registration does not guarantee outcomes but confirms that baseline safety and care standards are met.

How to verify: You can search for any registered clinic on the CQC website (cqc.org.uk) to view inspection history, ratings, and reports.

General Medical Council (GMC)

All doctors practising in the UK must be registered with the GMC and hold a licence to practise. The GMC sets standards for medical education, professional conduct, and fitness to practise. Registration is not automatic upon qualification; doctors must demonstrate they meet the GMC’s standards and undergo regular revalidation every five years.

GMC responsibilities include:

Maintaining the register of licensed doctors
Setting standards for medical education and training
Investigating concerns about doctors’ fitness to practise
Taking action when standards are not met, including suspension or removal from the register

The GMC also publishes Good Medical Practice, the core guidance that all UK doctors must follow. This includes duties around consent, confidentiality, maintaining professional knowledge, and working within competence limits.

What this means for you: Every clinician who assesses or treats you is registered with the GMC and subject to its professional standards and oversight. Doctors must work within their competence, meaning they should only perform procedures they are trained and experienced to carry out. You can verify any doctor’s registration, qualifications, and any restrictions on their practice at gmc-uk.org.

How to verify: The GMC’s online register (gmc-uk.org) allows you to search for a doctor by name or GMC reference number. The entry will show their registration status, primary medical qualification, date of registration, and any specialist registrations.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Clinics must comply with health and safety legislation enforced by the HSE, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This covers workplace safety, risk management, and protection of both staff and patients from harm.

What this means for you: The clinic operates within legal health and safety requirements, including fire safety, emergency procedures, and risk assessments for clinical procedures.

Professional Memberships and Specialist Training

Royal Colleges

Our consultant surgeons and dermatologists hold fellowships or memberships with the relevant Royal Colleges. These professional bodies set standards for specialist medical training and maintain specialist registers.

Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS Eng):

The RCS sets standards for surgical training in England. Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) indicates completion of surgical specialty training and successful examination at consultant level. For skin surgery, this includes FRCS (Plast) for plastic surgery.

Surgeons undergo structured training programmes lasting 8-10 years after medical school, including:

Core surgical training (2-3 years)
Specialty training (5-7 years)
Completion of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP)
Passing the FRCS specialty examination
Achieving a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

Royal College of Physicians (RCP):

The RCP oversees physician training, including dermatology. Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) or Fellowship (FRCP) indicates completion of physician specialty training and examination.

Dermatologists typically complete:

Foundation training (2 years)
Core medical training (2-3 years)
Dermatology specialty training (4 years)
Membership examination (MRCP)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Dermatology

What this means for you: Clinicians treating warts and verrucae at our clinic have completed formal specialist training in surgery or dermatology, not simply general medical training. Fellowship or membership of a Royal College indicates consultant-level training and examination success. It does not guarantee individual outcomes but confirms structured specialist education.

How to verify: Royal College membership is typically listed in a doctor’s qualifications. FRCS (Plast) indicates plastic surgery training, MRCP or FRCP indicates physician training including dermatology.

GMC Specialist Register

Doctors who have completed specialty training are eligible for entry to the GMC Specialist Register. This is separate from general GMC registration and indicates recognised training in a specialty such as dermatology or plastic surgery.

What this means for you: Doctors on the GMC Specialist Register have undergone structured, assessed training in their specialty and hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Specialist registration is required to work as an NHS consultant in that specialty.

How to verify: The GMC register indicates whether a doctor holds specialist registration and in which specialty.

British Association of Dermatologists (BAD)

Some of our dermatologists are members of the British Association of Dermatologists, the UK’s professional body for dermatology specialists. The BAD publishes clinical guidelines, treatment pathways, and evidence-based recommendations for common skin conditions including warts.

BAD activities include:

Publishing clinical guidelines and patient information
Providing continuing professional development for dermatologists
Promoting research and clinical standards in dermatology
Maintaining professional networks and special interest groups

What this means for you: Treatment approaches used at the clinic align with UK dermatology standards and evidence-based guidelines published by professional bodies. BAD membership indicates engagement with the dermatology profession beyond basic registration requirements.

Specialist Surgical Societies

Our surgeons may hold memberships in specialist societies relevant to dermatological and plastic surgery:

British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS):

The professional body for plastic surgeons in the UK. Membership indicates specialist training in plastic surgery and ongoing engagement with the specialty.

British Association of Dermatological Surgery (BADS):

A special interest group within the BAD focusing on surgical dermatology, including skin lesion removal, skin cancer surgery, and dermatological procedures.

European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV):

The largest dermatology association in Europe, promoting education, research, and clinical standards across European countries.

International Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ISDS):

A global organisation dedicated to advancing dermatologic surgery through education and research.

What this means for you: Clinicians remain engaged with developments in skin surgery and dermatological practice beyond basic registration requirements. Specialist society membership indicates ongoing professional development and participation in the broader medical community.

Safety Standards and Quality Assurance

Infection Prevention and Control

The clinic follows infection prevention and control standards set by Public Health England (now the UK Health Security Agency) and the Department of Health and Social Care. All procedures involving the skin follow aseptic technique protocols to minimise infection risk.

Key standards include:

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-05:

This Department of Health guidance covers decontamination in primary care, community, and dental settings. It sets standards for:

Cleaning and decontamination of reusable medical devices
Sterilisation processes and validation
Segregation of single-use and reusable instruments
Storage and handling of sterile instruments
Staff training and competency in decontamination

What this means for you: Reusable surgical instruments are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilised according to nationally recognised standards. Single-use instruments are disposed of after one use. Sterile equipment is stored in controlled conditions and checked before use.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs):

These precautions apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection. They include:

Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Use of personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons) when appropriate
Safe handling and disposal of sharps (needles, blades)
Safe disposal of clinical waste
Cleaning and decontamination of equipment and environment

What this means for you: Infection control measures are applied consistently to every patient, reducing the risk of infection transmission during procedures. Clinical waste is segregated and disposed of through licensed clinical waste contractors.

Antimicrobial Stewardship:

When prescribing antibiotics (for example, if a wart becomes infected or as prophylaxis in certain cases), clinicians follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England to ensure appropriate use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

What this means for you: Antibiotics are prescribed only when clinically appropriate, following national guidance on antimicrobial stewardship.

Histology and Pathology

When tissue is sent for histological examination, it is processed by UK pathology laboratories registered with the relevant regulatory bodies. These laboratories are typically accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories.

Histology reports are reviewed by GMC-registered pathologists who have completed specialist training in histopathology. Pathologists interpret tissue samples to determine whether a lesion is a wart, another benign condition, or requires further investigation.

What this means for you: If a wart or lesion is removed and sent for analysis, the tissue is examined by qualified pathologists working to UK standards. Histology may be recommended when there is diagnostic uncertainty or when a lesion does not respond to treatment as expected.

Turnaround time: Histology results typically take 7-14 days. Urgent samples can be processed more quickly if clinically necessary.

Equipment and Sterilisation

Surgical instruments are sterilised to Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-05 standards, the UK framework for decontamination in primary care and community settings. Sterile single-use equipment is used where appropriate.

Sterilisation processes include:

Pre-cleaning of instruments
Thermal disinfection
Autoclaving (steam sterilisation under pressure)
Validation and monitoring of sterilisation cycles
Biological indicators used to verify sterilisation effectiveness
Documentation and traceability of instrument batches

What this means for you: Equipment used in your procedure meets UK sterilisation and safety standards, reducing infection risk. Instruments are traceable, meaning the clinic maintains records of which instrument sets were used for which patients, allowing rapid response in the unlikely event of a sterilisation failure.

Single-use equipment:

Many items used in wart removal are single-use, including:

Scalpel blades
Needles and syringes for local anaesthetic
Dressings and gauze
Disposable surgical drapes

These items are used once and then disposed of as clinical waste, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination.

Clinical Governance and Audit

Clinical governance is the framework through which healthcare organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care.

Components include:

Clinical audit:

Regular review of clinical practice against established standards. Audits may examine outcomes, complications, adherence to protocols, and patient satisfaction.

Incident reporting:

Systems for reporting and learning from adverse events, near misses, and complications. Incident reporting allows identification of trends and implementation of improvements.

Clinical supervision and peer review:

Clinicians participate in peer review and multidisciplinary discussion of cases where appropriate. This supports reflective practice and shared learning.

Complaints and feedback:

Patient feedback, including complaints, is reviewed systematically to identify opportunities for service improvement.

What this means for you: The clinic operates systems for monitoring quality, learning from complications or concerns, and improving care delivery. Clinical governance does not prevent all complications but ensures they are identified, investigated, and used to inform practice improvements.

Prescribing and Medicines Management

When prescribing medications (such as topical treatments for warts or antibiotics if infection occurs), clinicians follow:

British National Formulary (BNF) guidance
NICE guidance on prescribing
Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for each medication
Local and national prescribing policies

What this means for you: Medications are prescribed in accordance with national guidance, taking into account your individual circumstances, allergies, and any other medications you take.

Controlled drugs:

If controlled drugs (such as certain strong painkillers) are prescribed, the clinic follows the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and Home Office guidance on safe prescribing, storage, and record-keeping.

Emergency Preparedness

The clinic maintains protocols and equipment for managing medical emergencies, including:

Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
Vasovagal syncope (fainting)
Cardiac events
Other acute medical emergencies

Emergency equipment includes:

Automated external defibrillator (AED)
Emergency drugs including adrenaline for anaphylaxis
Oxygen and airway management equipment
Emergency contact protocols with ambulance services

What this means for you: Although serious complications during wart removal are rare, the clinic is prepared to manage medical emergencies and access emergency services if required. All clinical staff are trained in basic life support (BLS) and recognition of deteriorating patients.

Essential Qualifications for Wart Removal Practitioners

There is no single “certification” for wart removal in the UK. Wart removal may be performed by various healthcare professionals depending on the technique used and the clinical context. However, certain qualifications and training are essential depending on the procedure.

General Practitioners (GPs)

GPs may treat warts using:

Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen)
Topical treatments (salicylic acid, podophyllotoxin)
Referral for surgical removal when appropriate

Essential qualifications:

Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent)
GMC registration with a licence to practise
Completion of GP specialty training (three years) and Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Practice, or equivalent experience
Competency in cryotherapy if performing this treatment

What this means for you: GPs can manage common warts using non-surgical techniques. Surgical removal typically requires referral to a specialist.

Dermatologists

Dermatologists are specialists in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. They may treat warts using:

Cryotherapy
Electrosurgery (hyfrecation, electrocautery)
Curettage and cautery
Surgical excision
Topical and intralesional treatments

Essential qualifications:

Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent)
GMC registration with a licence to practise
Completion of dermatology specialty training (typically 4-5 years after core medical training)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Dermatology
Entry to the GMC Specialist Register in Dermatology
Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP or FRCP)
Competency in procedural dermatology, including surgical techniques for lesion removal

What this means for you: Dermatologists have completed structured training in skin disease and skin surgery. They can diagnose conditions that may resemble warts and select appropriate treatments based on lesion characteristics.

Plastic Surgeons

Plastic surgeons may remove warts surgically, particularly when:

Surgical excision with primary closure is required
The lesion is large, deep, or in a cosmetically sensitive area
There is diagnostic uncertainty requiring excision biopsy

Essential qualifications:

Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent)
GMC registration with a licence to practise
Completion of plastic surgery specialty training (typically 8-10 years after foundation training)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Plastic Surgery
Entry to the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (FRCS Plast)
Competency in skin surgery, wound closure, and management of surgical complications

What this means for you: Plastic surgeons have extensive training in surgical technique, wound closure, and optimising cosmetic outcomes. They can remove lesions that require more complex surgical approaches.

Podiatrists

Podiatrists (formerly called chiropodists) specialise in foot care and may treat plantar warts (verrucae). Treatments include:

Debridement (removal of overlying hard skin)
Cryotherapy
Topical treatments
Referral for surgical removal when appropriate

Essential qualifications for surgical procedures:

BSc (Hons) or equivalent in Podiatry
Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Additional training in surgical procedures if performing surgical removal (some podiatrists complete extended training in podiatric surgery)

What this means for you: Podiatrists can manage verrucae on the feet, including removing overlying callus and applying treatments. Surgical verruca removal may be performed by podiatrists with additional surgical training or may be referred to a surgeon.

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

Some nurses perform cryotherapy for warts after appropriate training. Surgical procedures are typically outside the scope of nursing practice unless the nurse has completed extended training as a nurse practitioner or surgical care practitioner.

Essential qualifications for cryotherapy:

Registered Nurse (RN) with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration
Specific training and competency assessment in cryotherapy
Working within scope of practice defined by employer and professional body

What this means for you: Nurses may perform cryotherapy for warts after training and competency assessment. Surgical removal requires referral to a doctor or surgeon.

What Patients Should Verify

When considering wart removal, patients should verify:

GMC registration: If the practitioner is a doctor, check their GMC registration and any specialist registration.
Relevant qualifications: Ensure the practitioner has training appropriate to the procedure being offered (e.g., surgical training for surgical removal).
Scope of practice: Confirm the practitioner is working within their scope of practice and competency.
Indemnity insurance: All practitioners should hold professional indemnity insurance.

Red flags:

Practitioners who cannot provide GMC or HCPC registration numbers
Offers of surgical procedures by practitioners without surgical training
Clinics that cannot provide CQC registration details (if operating in England)
Pressure to proceed with treatment without adequate consultation or explanation of risks

Understanding Regulatory Bodies Overseeing UK Wart Removal Services

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Role: Independent regulator of health and social care in England. Registers and inspects clinics providing surgical procedures, including wart removal when performed surgically.

Authority: Established under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. Has powers to inspect, rate, and where necessary, take enforcement action against providers failing to meet standards.

Registration requirement: Clinics providing surgical procedures, including minor surgery such as wart removal, must register with the CQC and undergo regular inspection.

What patients should know: CQC registration is legally required, not optional. Inspection reports are published on the CQC website and are accessible to the public. Ratings range from “Outstanding” to “Inadequate.” Clinics rated “Inadequate” may face enforcement action including suspension of services.

How to check: Visit cqc.org.uk and search for the clinic by name or location. The CQC entry will show registration status, inspection history, and ratings.

General Medical Council (GMC)

Role: Regulates doctors in the UK. Maintains the register of licensed doctors, sets standards for medical education and practice, and investigates concerns about doctors’ fitness to practise.

Authority: Established by the Medical Act 1983 (as amended). Has statutory powers to set standards, investigate complaints, and impose sanctions ranging from warnings to removal from the register.

Registration requirement: All doctors practising medicine in the UK must hold GMC registration and a licence to practise. Doctors undergo revalidation every five years to maintain their licence.

What patients should know: GMC registration is mandatory for all doctors. The GMC can investigate concerns about a doctor’s conduct, competence, or health and can suspend or remove doctors from the register. The GMC register shows a doctor’s registration status, qualifications, specialist registrations, and any restrictions on their practice.

How to check: Visit gmc-uk.org and use the “List of Registered Medical Practitioners” to search for any doctor. The entry will confirm their registration status and qualifications.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Role: Regulates health and care professionals, including podiatrists (who may treat verrucae) and operating department practitioners.

Authority: Established by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Maintains registers of health professionals, sets standards for education and conduct, and investigates fitness to practise concerns.

Registration requirement: Podiatrists and certain other health professionals must be registered with the HCPC to use their professional title and practise.

What patients should know: If you are seeing a podiatrist for verruca treatment, you can verify their registration on the HCPC website. HCPC registration confirms the podiatrist has met education and training standards and is subject to professional regulation.

How to check: Visit hcpc-uk.org and use the “Check the Register” function to search for a podiatrist or other health professional.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Role: Regulates nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK.

Authority: Established under the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. Sets standards for education, conduct, and competence. Maintains the register of nurses and midwives.

Registration requirement: All nurses must hold NMC registration to practise nursing in the UK. Registration is renewed annually and is subject to ongoing professional development requirements.

What patients should know: If a nurse performs cryotherapy or other wart treatments, you can verify their NMC registration. Nurses must work within their scope of practice as defined by their training and employer.

How to check: Visit nmc.org.uk and use the “Search the register” function to verify a nurse’s registration.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Role: Regulates medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the UK.

Authority: Executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. Ensures that medicines and medical devices meet safety, quality, and effectiveness standards.

Relevance to wart removal: Topical wart treatments, cryotherapy devices, and surgical instruments used in wart removal are regulated by the MHRA. Clinics must use licensed medicines and CE-marked or UKCA-marked medical devices.

What patients should know: Medications prescribed or used during wart treatment should be licensed for use in the UK. Medical devices should carry appropriate safety markings.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Role: Provides evidence-based guidance on clinical practice, public health, and social care. NICE is not a regulatory body but its guidance is widely used across the NHS and private sector.

Relevance to wart removal: NICE does not currently have specific guidance on wart removal, but clinicians refer to NICE guidance on related topics such as prescribing, infection control, and patient information.

What patients should know: NICE guidance represents evidence-based best practice. Clinicians may follow NICE guidance where applicable, though clinical judgement and individual patient factors also inform treatment decisions.

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Role: Regulates data protection and information rights. Enforces compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Relevance to wart removal: Clinics must protect patient information, obtain consent for data processing, and ensure confidentiality. Medical records must be stored securely and processed lawfully.

What patients should know: Your personal and medical information is protected by data protection law. Clinics must have lawful bases for processing your data, provide clear privacy notices, and respond to requests for access to your records.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Role: Regulates workplace health and safety. Enforces health and safety legislation to prevent work-related death, injury, and ill health.

Relevance to wart removal: Clinics must comply with health and safety law, including risk assessments, fire safety, and safe handling of sharps and clinical waste.

What patients should know: The clinic operates within legal health and safety requirements. This includes safe disposal of clinical waste, fire evacuation procedures, and risk management for procedures.

What London Patients Should Consider Before Booking Wart Treatment

Selecting a clinic for wart removal involves assessing qualifications, regulatory compliance, and whether the clinic meets your individual needs. The following framework can help patients make informed decisions.

Verify Professional Registration

For doctors:

Check GMC registration at gmc-uk.org
Confirm the doctor holds a current licence to practise
Check whether the doctor holds specialist registration (e.g., dermatology, plastic surgery)
Review any conditions or restrictions on their practice

For podiatrists:

Check HCPC registration at hcpc-uk.org
Confirm registration is current
Verify the podiatrist’s scope of practice if surgical procedures are proposed

For nurses:

Check NMC registration at nmc.org.uk
Confirm the nurse is working within their scope of practice
Verify the nurse has completed training in any procedures being offered (e.g., cryotherapy)

Red flags:

Inability or unwillingness to provide registration numbers
Expired or lapsed registration
Restrictions or conditions on registration that are not explained

Verify Clinic Registration

CQC registration (England):

Check the clinic’s CQC registration at cqc.org.uk
Review the most recent inspection report
Check the clinic’s rating (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate)
Note any enforcement actions or conditions on registration

What to look for:

Current registration
Recent inspection with no major concerns
Ratings of “Good” or “Outstanding” (though “Requires Improvement” does not necessarily indicate unsafe care)
Clear response to any concerns raised in inspection reports

Red flags:

No CQC registration when required
Rating of “Inadequate”
Recent enforcement actions or suspension of services
Clinic unwilling to provide CQC registration details

Assess Practitioner Qualifications for the Procedure

Different wart removal techniques require different training levels:

Cryotherapy (freezing):

Can be performed by GPs, dermatologists, podiatrists, or trained nurses
Requires training and competency assessment but not surgical qualification

Curettage and cautery:

Typically performed by dermatologists or surgeons
Requires training in surgical technique and wound management

Surgical excision:

Should be performed by doctors with surgical training (dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or GPs with extended training in minor surgery)
Requires competency in aseptic technique, local anaesthesia, excision, and wound closure

Questions to ask:

What procedure is being recommended and why?
What training and experience does the practitioner have in this procedure?
How many similar procedures has the practitioner performed?
Is the practitioner working within their scope of practice and competency?

Red flags:

Surgical procedures offered by practitioners without surgical training
Evasive or unclear answers about qualifications or experience
Pressure to proceed with complex procedures without adequate explanation

Understand Infection Control and Safety Standards

Questions to ask:

How are surgical instruments sterilised?
Is single-use equipment used where appropriate?
What infection control protocols are followed?
How is clinical waste disposed of?

What to observe:

Clinical environment is clean and well-maintained
Staff wash hands or use alcohol gel between patients
Staff wear appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons)
Single-use items are opened from sealed packaging in front of you
Sharps are disposed of immediately into sharps bins

Red flags:

Visibly unclean clinical environment
Reusable instruments that do not appear to have been sterilised
Lack of hand hygiene between patients
Sharps left exposed or disposed of inappropriately

Clarify Consent and Information Provision

Before any procedure, you should receive:

Clear explanation of what the procedure involves
Explanation of why the procedure is being recommended
Information about risks and potential complications
Information about alternative treatments
Information about what to expect during recovery
Opportunity to ask questions
Time to consider the information before proceeding (unless urgent treatment is required)

Questions to ask:

What are the potential complications of this procedure?
What is the likelihood of recurrence after treatment?
Will the procedure leave a scar?
How long will recovery take?
What should I do if I experience complications after the procedure?
Are there alternative treatments I should consider?

What to expect:

Written information provided before or during the consultation
Opportunity to ask questions and receive clear answers
No pressure to proceed immediately if you wish to consider the information
Written consent form if a surgical procedure is performed

Red flags:

Minimal explanation of risks or alternatives
Pressure to proceed immediately without time to consider
Dismissive responses to questions about risks or complications
No written information or consent form for surgical procedures

Assess Transparency Around Costs

What to expect:

Clear indication of consultation costs before booking
Explanation of treatment costs once the procedure has been recommended
Itemised breakdown if multiple components (consultation, procedure, histology, follow-up) are charged separately
No hidden fees or unexpected charges

Questions to ask:

What is the cost of the consultation?
What is the cost of the recommended treatment?
Does the price include follow-up appointments or removal of stitches?
If histology is required, is this included in the price or charged separately?
What happens if complications occur—are follow-up appointments included?

Red flags:

Refusal to provide cost information before the consultation
Vague or evasive answers about pricing
Unexpected charges not explained in advance
Pressure to proceed without clear understanding of total costs

Consider Availability of Follow-up and Aftercare

Wart removal may require follow-up appointments for:

Removal of stitches or dressings
Wound checks
Review of histology results
Management of complications such as infection
Further treatment if the wart recurs

Questions to ask:

Is follow-up included in the treatment cost?
How do I contact the clinic if I have concerns after the procedure?
What happens if the wart recurs—is further treatment offered?
Are follow-up appointments with the same practitioner who performed the procedure?

What to expect:

Clear information about follow-up arrangements
Contact details for the clinic if concerns arise
Reasonable access to follow-up appointments
Continuity of care where possible

Red flags:

No follow-up arrangements explained
Difficulty contacting the clinic after the procedure
Additional charges for follow-up not explained in advance
No clear pathway for managing complications

Verify Histology Arrangements if Tissue is Removed

When warts are removed surgically, tissue may be sent for histological examination to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other conditions.

Questions to ask:

Will the tissue be sent for histology?
Where will the histology be processed?
How long will results take?
How will I be informed of the results?
What happens if the histology shows an unexpected finding?

What to expect:

Tissue sent to a UK-accredited pathology laboratory
Results typically available within 7-14 days
Clear process for communicating results (phone call, letter, follow-up appointment)
Explanation of results and any further action required

Red flags:

Unclear or evasive answers about histology arrangements
Tissue sent to unaccredited or overseas laboratories without explanation
No clear process for communicating results

Review Patient Feedback and Complaints Process

How to research:

Check CQC inspection reports for patient feedback themes
Review Google reviews and other online feedback (bearing in mind that online reviews are not always representative)
Ask the clinic about their complaints process

Questions to ask:

How can I provide feedback about my experience?
What is the process if I have a complaint?
Are complaints handled internally or through an external process?

What to expect:

Clear complaints process explained at the time of booking or consultation
Written information about how to complain
Acknowledgement of complaints and reasonable timescales for response

Red flags:

No clear complaints process
Defensive or dismissive response to questions about complaints
Persistent negative feedback themes in public reviews or CQC reports

Consider Accessibility and Convenience

Practical considerations include:

Location and ease of access (public transport, parking)
Appointment availability and waiting times
Flexibility for follow-up appointments
Accessibility for patients with mobility issues or other needs

These factors do not relate to clinical quality but affect patient experience and ability to attend appointments.

Assess Communication and Patient-Centred Approach

During initial contact and consultation, consider:

Are your questions answered clearly and respectfully?
Is the practitioner willing to discuss alternatives and allow you time to decide?
Is information provided in a way you can understand?
Do you feel listened to and respected?

Good clinical care depends not only on technical competence but also on effective communication and respect for patient autonomy.

Red Flags Summary

Patients should exercise caution or seek a second opinion if they encounter:

Practitioners unable or unwilling to provide registration numbers
Clinics without CQC registration (if operating in England and required to register)
Pressure to proceed with treatment immediately without time to consider
Evasive or unclear answers about qualifications, experience, or risks
Surgical procedures offered by practitioners without surgical training
Lack of clear information about costs, follow-up, or histology
Dismissive responses to questions or concerns
Visibly poor infection control or clinical environment
No clear complaints or feedback process

Limitations of Accreditation and Regulation

Regulatory compliance, professional registration, and facility accreditation provide assurance that baseline standards are met. However, they do not:

Guarantee outcomes or success rates
Eliminate the possibility of complications
Ensure that every patient will be satisfied with their experience
Replace the need for individual clinical assessment and decision-making

Wart removal, like any medical procedure, carries individual variability in results and potential complications, regardless of the qualifications of the practitioner or the regulatory status of the facility.

Factors affecting outcomes include:

The type, size, and location of the wart
The treatment method selected
Individual healing characteristics
Patient factors such as immune function, smoking status, and adherence to aftercare
The possibility of recurrence (warts are caused by HPV and may recur even after successful removal)

Professional standards and regulatory oversight ensure these factors are considered systematically and that risks are communicated clearly. They do not eliminate risk or variability.

Why Professional Standards Matter for Wart Treatment

Wart and verrucae removal may seem straightforward, but it involves:

Assessment to distinguish warts from other skin conditions: Not all skin lesions are warts. Conditions such as seborrhoeic keratoses, skin tags, corns, calluses, or more serious lesions such as skin cancers can sometimes be mistaken for warts. Accurate diagnosis requires clinical experience and, in some cases, histology.
Selection of appropriate removal method: Different warts respond to different treatments. Factors such as location, size, depth, and patient preference influence treatment choice. Practitioners with appropriate training can assess these factors and recommend suitable options.
Sterile technique to prevent infection: Surgical wart removal involves breaking the skin, creating a risk of infection. Proper aseptic technique, sterilisation of instruments, and infection control measures reduce this risk.
Histology when required to exclude other diagnoses: If there is any diagnostic uncertainty, tissue should be sent for histological examination. This ensures that other conditions are not missed and confirms the diagnosis.
Aftercare and follow-up as needed: Wounds require appropriate dressing and monitoring. Patients need clear instructions on wound care, when to seek help, and what to expect during healing. Follow-up appointments allow monitoring of healing and management of any complications.

Professional standards and regulatory oversight ensure these steps are approached systematically and safely. Even minor procedures require proper training, equipment, and governance.