Armadale cosmetic clinic raided after illegal surgery claims

An Armadale cosmetic clinic run by a disgraced former celebrity surgeon has been raided, with investigators seizing documents and files amid allegations of illegal surgeries.

Banned cosmetic surgeon Cynthia Weinstein. Picture: Ian Currie

A cosmetic clinic run by disgraced former cosmetic surgeon Cynthia Weinstein has been raided amid allegations of illegal surgeries.

Department of Health investigators served a warrant on the swanky CDC Clinics in Armadale on Tuesday, seizing documents and copying computer files while spending more than eight hours scouring through the business.

Earlier this year, the clinic and its director, Ms Weinstein, were hit with permanent bans to stop them undertaking medical procedures while investigations continued into claims they were practising illegally.

Banned cosmetic surgeon Cynthia Weinstein.

A one-time celebrity cosmetic surgeon known as “Dr Skin”, Ms Weinsteins’ medical registration was cancelled in 2010 over claims of botched facial procures.

Department of Health sources confirmed CDC Clinics was not registered to undertake cosmetic procedures in line with laws introduced by the Andrews Government last year. The new regulations make it illegal for unregistered day procedure centres and private hospitals to undertake surgeries, including liposuction, general anaesthesia and intravenous sedation.

Department of Health spokesman Graeme Walker said a warrant was executed on the High St Armadale clinic after information suggested surgical procedures were being performed.

“There has not been a regulation application for this premises and we were concerned, based on information provided, that these unlawful or illegal procedures continued to be carried out there,” Mr Walker said.

“We did not observe surgery in full flight, but we were not expecting to. The purpose of the raid was to gather evidence which will inform our next steps in ensuring the regulations are complied with, or any breach of the regulations are actioned.”

The Herald Sun understands Ms Weinstein was present throughout Tuesday’s raid but, when the Herald Sun contacted CDC Clinics on Thursday, a receptionist said: “she will not accept your phone calls”.

Mr Walker said the investigation was ongoing.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said clinics using general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation while unregistered faced fines up to $38,000.

“Unregistered cosmetics clinics are on notice. Our new regulations provide tougher powers to protect patients from unregistered health service providers and premises,” she said.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said clinics using general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation while unregistered faced fines up to $38,000. Picture: Tony Gough

“Anyone considering a cosmetic medical or surgical procedure should make sure they are well informed about the risks and satisfy themselves that the premises is registered.”

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Victoria’s health Complaints Commissioner launched a fresh investigation into Ms Weinstein and CDC Clinics last year after allegations she undertook and bungled facial implants on a patient.

Also, in June last year the Medical Board of Australia suspended the medical registration of Dr Galina Shvetsova after it found she had delegated surgical tasks to Ms Weinstein while working at the CDC Clinic.

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