Veterinary surgical equipment found in Sydney cosmetic clinic accused of putting patients at risk

Health authorities are urging clients of a Sydney cosmetic clinic to get tested for blood-borne infections after alleging staff posing as medical practitioners performed invasive procedures and the discovery of surgical equipment marked “veterinary use only” and dubious medicines.

The Ketthip Beauty Clinic at 68 Sussex Street was raided on Thursday by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) officers, who allegedly uncovered alarming health and safety violations and seized large quantities of surgical equipment and imported medications, some of which had expired.

The HCCC is concerned that “non-registered staff” at the clinic were allegedly performing invasive surgical procedures such as breast augmentation without a medical practitioner present. Credit: iStock

“The commission is concerned that non-registered persons at the clinic may be performing invasive surgical procedures such as breast augmentation absent any registered health practitioner involvement,” the HCCC said in a statement.

HCCC officers seized scalpels, sutures, cannulas and other medical devices. “Much of this equipment was clearly marked as being for veterinary use only”, the HCCC said.

The HCCC alleged there was also evidence that staff may have been pretending to be registered medical practitioners and were performing invasive cosmetic procedures, including botox and fillers.

The clinic’s hygiene and infection control practices were “highly concerning and pose an immediate risk to the health and safety of the public”, the statement read.

The officers found large amounts of imported controlled medications used by the clinic, including injectable cosmetic medicine and anaesthetics.

The medications “were found at the clinic of unknown quality, safety and efficacy, posing potential significant health safety risks to members of the public”, the statement read.

“Members of the public are being injected with these medications and/or undergoing surgical procedures and being placed at significant risk of harm,” the statement read.

At least one patient may have had an adverse reaction due to procedures performed at the clinic.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit urged clients of Ketthip Clinic to get tested for blood-borne viruses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV due to alleged breaches of poisons and skin penetration protocols by an unregistered practitioner.

PHU director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said clinic clients who received infusions, injections, or underwent invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion or PDO thread lift should see their GP as soon as possible.

The HCCC issued an interim prohibition order preventing health services of any kind at Ketthip Clinic. NSW Health is contacting clients directly where possible.

Sheppeard urged the public to check practitioners are registered health providers on the AHPRA website before undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

“Do not allow unregistered practitioners to inject any substance into your skin,” Sheppeard said.

The clinic’s phone was switched off or could not be reached on Tuesday, and its website was undergoing maintenance.

The HCCC is also investigating a non-registered practitioner named Norsafiza Binti Zakaria for allegedly injecting fake Botox into three patients at a Guildford home. They were later hospitalised with a deadly paralysing bacteria.

Clients of Ketthip Clinic with concerns can contact the HCCC on [e-mail]. More information is also available on the HCCC website.

They can contact their local public health unit directly on 1300 066 055.