Review of cosmetic surgery regulation underway

The Palaszczuk Government is seeking public input into a possible change in legislation covering cosmetic surgery to provide more protection for people undergoing such procedures.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said Queensland Health was considering whether further regulation of the cosmetic industry was required so certain surgical procedures are carried out on government-licensed premises.

“Currently, procedures that only require a low level of anaesthesia or sedation, such as liposuction and breast augmentation, can be performed outside of Queensland hospitals,” Mr Dick said.

“However, in light of recent cases in other jurisdictions, there are concerns about the regulation of the facilities where these procedures are being performed.

“The safety of Queenslanders is at the top of the priority list for the Palaszczuk Government and we need to ensure we have the right legislative framework in place to protect patients.”

In Australia, cosmetic surgery can be performed by a range of medical practitioners, from specialist plastic surgeons to local GPs. All practitioners are subject to the standards set by the Medical Board of Australia.

Cosmetic surgery facilities are currently only required to be conducted on government-licensed premises under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999 if patients are administered general, spinal or epidural anaesthetic or sedation, resulting in more than simple sedation, or for a small number of additionally prescribed procedures.

“The discussion paper will consider whether the list of prescribed procedures should be expanded to include a specified range of higher risk cosmetic surgical procedures,” Mr Dick said.

“Feedback from consumers about their experiences and expectations of the industry is a very valuable tool to help inform any future changes to the regulation of cosmetic surgical procedures.

“Making changes to the legislation is not to restrict individual medical practitioners, but rather to ensure that the facilities where they practice are suitably equipped and staffed to deal with the level of risk involved with these procedures.”

The discussion paper is available on the Queensland Health website. The closing date for submissions is 14 April 2017.

ENDS

Media contact: 

Emma McBryde                  0447 155 332