35 cosmetic surgery doctors caught by AHPRA in crackdown

Thirty five cosmetic doctors have either been suspended, banned from practice or disciplined after 700 patients complained, with some also hit with new restrictions.

AHPRA set up a Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit in 2022 after media reports about concerning practices in the industry. Picture: iStock

More than 35 cosmetic surgery practitioners have been disciplined under an unprecedented crackdown on the controversial industry by the nation’s health watchdog.

Seven were suspended or not currently practising and four were banned from undertaking cosmetic surgery.

Another four doctors had restrictions placed on the way they do breast surgery or liposuction.

After media reports about dangerous and controversial practices in the industry in 2021 the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) set up a complaints hotline.

It was flooded with calls from 700 disgruntled patients, with an average nine complaints per week.

On Thursday, AHPRA said it had finalised 200 investigations and was managing a further 315 active notifications about 127 cosmetic practitioners.

Dodgy doctors and other practitioners uncovered by the massive investigation have had conditions imposed on their practice, cautions issued and they have been given enforceable undertakings to improve their performance.

Some Australian practitioners are on a watchlist. Picture Getty Images

The watchdog revealed 15 practitioners had been subjected to a combined 180 notifications.

“Interim measures have been taken in these cases to protect the public while the detailed investigations continue, with seven of these practitioners either suspended or not currently practising, four banned from undertaking cosmetic surgery, and another four with restrictions on the way they undertake specific procedures, such as breast surgery or liposuction,” AHPRA said in a statement.

Two practitioners had their matters referred to state tribunals for assessment – the most serious action a national board can take.

Interim restrictions remain in place on these practitioners until the tribunal makes a final decision, AHPRA said.

AHPRA set up a Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit in 2022 after media reports about concerning practices in the industry.

The work of the Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit had made a significant difference to safety in the cosmetic industry, AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher said.

“AHPRA is proud of the work we have done with the Medical Board to act on dangerous practitioners more quickly using a specialist centralised team of regulatory experts focused on the cosmetic field,” he said.

AHPRA’s National Director of Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement, Jason McHeyzer, said the investigations were among the largest and most detailed ever undertaken by AHPRA.

“Resolving 200 cases in the past 18 months and taking interim action in relation to a further 180 notifications demonstrates that we are making an immediate impact, cleaning up the sector and acting to keep the public safe” he said.

AHPRA has undertaken investigations after complaints were made. Picture: Supplied.

“These investigations can … involve interviews with dozens of witnesses, including highly vulnerable patients and colleagues, as well as expert analysis of complex medical records and clinical settings. We are always conscious of the huge amount of work required in some cases to both maintain public safety and ensure procedural fairness for the practitioners involved.”

The scandal also led to new rules around advertising in the industry.

Many clinics were employing general practitioners who were calling themselves cosmetic surgeons.

A new law prevents doctors using the title “cosmetic surgeon” unless they have completed training in surgery, opthalmology, obstetrics or gynaecology.

The Medical Board of Australia has also set out new minimum training standards necessary for anyone to perform complex cosmetic surgery procedures.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) has also set up new licencing framework for facilities where cosmetic procedures are performed.