WA doctors can now have their say on the troubled cosmetic surgery industry and let regulators know what they think needs to change.
The Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency has sent letters to doctors this week asking for submissions, as former Queensland Health Ombudsman Andrew Brown begins the public consultation phase of an independent review.
The investigation was triggered by public and professional outrage over rogue cosmetic surgery practices, which were revealed in a series of national media reports last year.
Some focussed on celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr Daniel Lanzer’s clinics, which at the time operated in several cities, including Perth. Staff were seen in videos dancing and making inappropriate comments during procedures such as liposuction.
Photos taken by whistle blower nurses inside the clinics also revealed human fat stored in kitchen fridges, syringes sitting alongside water bottles, and surgical instruments stored in a suitcase.
Perth plastic surgeon and AMA WA president Dr Mark Duncan-Smith described the lack of professionalism as “spine-chilling.”
The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons told Medical Forum that only doctors who had successfully completed Australian Medical Council-accredited training could use legitimate, approved specialist surgical titles.
But most practitioners who used the title ‘cosmetic surgeon’ were not registered surgical specialists and had not completed AMC accredited training.
Now cosmetic surgery patients, health practitioners, professional organisations and agencies are encouraged to share their views and experiences.
Mr Brown said the review will look at what measures are needed to better protect patients undergoing cosmetic surgery.
“We will be looking at what role AHPRA and the Medical Board can and should play to regulate medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery,” he said.
“We are particularly interested in understanding barriers to consumers, practitioners or their employees raising concerns about unsafe practices or unsatisfactory outcomes.”
Consumer submissions can be made via an online survey or email. But practitioners, professional organisations and agencies are encouraged to email their responses to questions in the consultation paper, by April 14.
Submissions marked ‘Submission to the independent review on cosmetic surgery’ can be emailed to
CSReview@ahpra.gov.au.
The review will make recommendations to AHPRA and the Medical Board by the middle of year.
ED: To read more on the review and the wider implications for the use of the term ‘surgeon’ in Australia, go to our special cover story in the March edition of Medical Forum.