PBA Reporter
The Australian Medical Association and Australian health ministries have agreed to implement new reforms to regulate the cosmetic surgery industry in a bid to stop it from being an all comers’ affair.
Reportedly, doctors will also be banned from using patient testimonials for cosmetic procedures, including on social media.
The health ministers proposed a change to the laws governing health regulations, which will only allow doctors who have completed accredited surgical training to label themselves as a specialist cosmetic surgeon.
Trouble started for the plastic surgery sector, when numerous patients had spoken out in painful detail about permanent damage they have suffered due to poor practices in Australia’s cosmetic surgery industry.
Apparently, the cries have been heard as health ministers across the country have now agreed to a series of reforms to clean up the sector to ensure doctors providing cosmetic procedures are appropriately qualified and working to the highest health and safety standards.
Doctors will be prohibited from describing themselves as a cosmetic “surgeon” unless certified to do so and will be banned from using patient testimonials, including on social media.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said work would begin to implement the reforms immediately.
“Australians deserve to have confidence in the safety and quality of the cosmetic surgery industry and these changes will provide that,” he said.
“These cosmetic cowboys have been riding unchecked for years, and the previous government simply didn’t act to clean up an industry that has come to resemble the Wild West.”
“I thank the brave women and men who have spoken about their experiences and shed light on this appalling behaviour.”
In addition, the Medical Board of Australia will act to clarify the credentials of cosmetic surgery providers by adding an “area of practice” to medical registrations.
A hotline will also be set up for complaints.
On their own part, while the Australian Medical Association (AMA) welcomed the commitment, it flagged it was “open to interpretation.”
AMA president Steve Robson said the body was ready to work with health regulators to apply the changes.
“After prevaricating for more than four years on this, health ministers have finally seen the light and taken the action we’ve been calling for,” Professor Robson said.
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