Proposed cosmetic surgery regulation reforms a step in the right direction

The AMA is largely supportive of the Medical Board’s proposed cosmetic surgery reforms, with many important changes on the table.

The AMA has provided a submission to the Medical Board of Australia’s consultation on proposed changes to Regulation of Practitioners who undertake cosmetic surgery. The proposals follow recommendations arising from the Independent Review into Cosmetic Surgery, which was established in response to ongoing media reports of unsafe practices by some practitioners in the cosmetic surgery industry.

The proposals include:

• For major cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, surgical face-lifts, liposuction etc:
  • Patients will require a referral from a GP not associated with the cosmetic proceduralist and who does not perform cosmetic surgery themselves.

• • The practitioner performing the procedure must assess the patient for any underlying psychological conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), using a recognised BDD screening tool; and where there are significant underlying psychological issues refer the patient to a GP, psychiatrist or psychologist for further evaluation.

• • At least two pre-operative consultations will be required – of which one must be a face-to-face consultation with the practitioner who will perform the procedure.

• • A cooling off period of at least seven days is required after the patient has signed the informed consent forms.

• • Detailed informed consent information, including consent to the use of any images or videos taken will be required.

• • For patients under 18 years, additional requirements will include an assessment of capacity, regard to be had of parental views, a referral for psychological evaluation, and a 3 month cooling offperiod.

• • Major cosmetic surgery will need to be undertaken in an accredited facility

The AMA’s submission is generally supportive of the above proposals.

A major area the AMA is carefully monitoring is the development of the key qualification required for an Area of Practice Endorsement for major cosmetic surgery. Endorsements appear on the Ahpra website next to a practitioner’s name.

The process will involve the Australian Medical Council (AMC) developing accreditation standards, which will need to be approved by the Medical Board. Once accreditation standards have been approved, educational providers will then need to apply to have their training programs assessed by the AMC against the accreditation standards.

The AMA has been invited by the AMC to participate in the process of developing the accreditation standards and will advocate that they should be set at a level at least equivalent to that required for attainment of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Fellowship covering plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Separate work is underway by Commonwealth and state and territory health ministers on what level of qualification will be required for practitioners seeking to use the title “surgeon” in the future.