New laws to protect consumers of cosmetic procedures

• Queensland has introduced national laws to regulate medical professionals performing cosmetic procedures.
• Penalties for incorrect use of the title “surgeon” include up to three years in prison and a $60,000 fine.
• Measures implement nationwide reforms agreed by health ministers last year.

Tough national laws to protect patients of cosmetic procedures were introduced in Queensland Parliament today.

The new laws ensure only qualified doctors with significant surgical training can use the title "surgeon" when promoting their services.

Doctors who use the title without having completed the appropriate accredited surgical training will face up to three years in prison and a $60,000 fine.

Queensland hosts the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and is introducing the reforms on behalf of all states and territories. 

This is one of several reforms health ministers across the country agreed on in September in response to patient concerns over the lack of regulation and oversight in the cosmetic surgery industry.

Other measures include launching a public education campaign on the risks of cosmetic surgery, reviewing licensing standards for private facilities, and establishing a credentialing system to endorse qualified providers.

Attribute to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath

“When we consent to medical procedures – we expect the treating clinician to do the right thing,” Minister D’Ath said.

“But when it comes to cosmetic procedures, it is clear that some clinicians have been betraying the trust of their patients.

“This Bill will allow the public to be confident that any medical practitioner using the title ‘surgeon’ has an appropriate level of surgical training to safely perform surgical procedures.

“This is a common-sense reform that will improve the quality of information available to help people choose appropriate health care providers for themselves and their families.”

ENDS

Media contact: 
Ruby Wallace 0415 476 743