Clients of Fresh Cosmetic Clinic urged to test for bloodborne viruses following ‘infection control breaches’

Former clients of a now-closed Sydney CBD beauty clinic have been urged to get blood tested following reports that its infection handling procedures may have exposed them to viruses.

Former clients of Fresh Cosmetic Clinic at 630 George St, Sydney should be tested.

NSW Health has advised former clients of a beauty clinic in the CBD to get tested for bloodborne diseases following reports of potential infection stemming from “invasive procedures”.

Anyone who received “skin penetrating” services - such as cosmetic injections, breast implants and facial or nasal carving - at the Fresh Cosmetic Clinic, at 630 George St, has been asked to undergo blood testing.

The Clinic, now closed, received an interim prohibition order from the Healthcare Complaints Commission (HCCC) in late October and was ordered to close on October 30 until December 25 while undergoing investigation.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit inspected the clinic after receiving reports that the business may have posed a risk to clients to exposure of bloodborne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C.

NSW Health Public Health unit director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said bloodborne viruses could be spread between clients where injections or invasive procedures are performed without “stringent infection control”.

“People infected with bloodborne viruses may not show symptoms for many years, so it is important to be tested to see if there is silent infection,” she said.

NSW Health will continue to work with the HCCC to consider further action against the clinic.

Fresh Cosmetic Clinic has also been known by the name Blissful.

Calls to a number listed for the business online were answered by a woman who stated the clinic was “never connected to me”.

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