Plastic surgeons to face crackdown in Victoria in health system overhaul

DODGY cosmetic surgeons will face tougher regulations as part of a statewide health overhaul to make patients safer in Victoria.

Cosmetic surgeons will face tougher regulations as part of a statewide health overhaul to make patients safer in Victoria. Generic photo

COSMETIC surgeons will face tougher regulations as part of a statewide health overhaul to make patients safer in Victoria.

The state government will introduce a Bill to parliament on Tuesday which will lead to better scrutiny of both public and private health facilities.

The move comes amid an increasing number of bad cosmetic operations carried out by plastic surgeons in Victoria.

The proposed changes are part of a move to address problems in the public and private system identified after a series of baby deaths at Djerriwarrh Health Services.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said the state government was acting to make Victorians safer.

“Dodgy backyard cosmetic surgery facilities have no place in our health system. That’s why we’ve brought in tough new laws to crack down on these unregulated operators and protect Victorians,” Ms Hennessy said.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy is moving to phase out dodgy plastic surgeons

“We’re putting patient safety first and improving quality of care for everyone — regardless of whether they are treated in a public or private hospital or receiving cosmetic surgery.”

Under the Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill plastic surgeons would be required to submit to the same rules as other surgery facilities.

This would eliminate shonky practitioners and close a loophole that allowed operations to take place in apartments.

Other changes under the proposed laws include an increase of scrutiny on public private hospitals.

A nine-year limit will also be introduced for board directors to ensure upskilling across the industry.

It will also pave the way for increased data and information sharing to identify risks at Victorian facilities.

The safety changes will be supported by a $215 million package announced in May.

They were based on recommendations in a review conducted by Dr Stephen Duckett.

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