There has been mounting pressure on the health regulator, AHPRA to take stronger action against rogue cosmetic clinics and practitioners and to completely overhaul the industry. Last year AHPRA and the Medical Board finally commissioned an independent review into patient safety.
In September 2022, the inquiry published 16 recommendations all of which have been accepted by the regulators. Full details here https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/Cosmetic-surgery-independent-review-of-patient-safety.aspx but in summary, the recommendations included:
- Setting minimum standards for education, training and qualifications expected of practitioners performing cosmetic surgery
- Monitoring and auditing of marketing and advertising in the sector
- Improving the way in which AHPRA and the Medical Board manage cosmetic surgery notifications
- Assisting consumers making notifications (complaints) about cosmetic surgery with specific advice
- Creating increased expertise and knowledge among select staff to conduct investigations in this area
- Providing detailed guidelines exclusively for those performing cosmetic surgery
- Establishing an area of practice endorsement for cosmetic surgery
The recommendation to introduce a formal “cosmetic surgery” endorsement for practitioners is aimed at preventing doctors with no formal surgical training from using this title. Together with the proposed restrictions on advertising and a dedicated team enforcement unit, it is hoped that this will lead to improved safety for consumers.
It is worth noting however, that the proposed reforms will only affect cosmetic surgery; that is to say, procedures which involve cutting beneath the skin. The excludes the growing sector of cosmetic injectables, laser treatment, dermabrasion and fat freezing which will remain unregulated. Since cosmetic surgery is only for aesthetic reasons, this new regime will not apply to plastic surgery which is distinguished on the basis that it has an underlying clinical or functional purpose.
If you are considering having cosmetic surgery or even so-called “non-invasive” injectables, AHPRA suggests these ways to protect yourself https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-and-procedures.aspx
