‘Did nothing wrong’: Millionaire cosmetic surgeon suspended, blames ‘victimisation’

High-flying cosmetic surgeon and hotel mogul Jerry Schwartz has been suspended from practising medicine following a number of allegations.

EXCLUSIVE

Rich lister and hotel mogul Jerry Schwartz is fighting to practice surgery after quietly being struck from the profession over concerns about his “clinical judgment” and “inappropriate” Medicare billing.

The cosmetic surgeon, who is worth about $600 million, is currently trying to appeal his suspension in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) – telling news.com.au that he is doing so as he wishes to practice surgery again and conduct medical research.

Dr Schwartz’s clinic in Matraville in Sydney’s eastern suburbs specialises in liposuction and eyelid procedures.

Last year, Dr Schwartz, who is the country’s biggest private owner of hotels, was named in the Australian’s Richest 250 list and owns 4300 rooms across 15 venues.

In 2019, Dr Schwatz was named the 213th richest Australian. Picture: Jerad Williams

In court documents seen by news.com.au, Dr Schwartz was suspended in 2021 following several “concerns” by the NSW Medical Council around the doctor’s administration of sedation, clinical judgment, record-keeping, and Medicare billing practices.

Despite an appeal by Dr Schwartz, the decision was confirmed by NCAT in July 2022.

“I have been unfairly restricted from practising medicine for over four years, and I believe it is a case of victimisation,” Dr Schwartz told news.com.au, as his suspension comes to light for the first time.

“I did nothing wrong, which is why I have been prepared to fight this for so long and at such a cost. Most doctors in a similar situation would have given up, but because I believe in our profession and its ethics, I have continued to defend my case.

“Over four decades I’ve not only committed myself to the medical profession, I have supported a range of medical research groups, including stem cell research. A really important stem cell project has been held up for over four years due to this action against me.

“I am passionate about medical welfare and advancing the sector’s expertise and professional status. As a result, I was not prepared to accept the unfair ruling against me and will continue to advocate for justice and fairness.”

On Tuesday in NCAT, Dr Schwartz’s hearing had to be vacated after the tribunal heard one of the panel members was photographed by the surgeon speaking with a witness on the street shortly after they gave evidence.

A new panel will be formed with a fresh hearing date in the coming months.

Reasons behind Mr Schwartz’s suspension

In July 2022, NCAT confirmed the Medical Council of NSW’s decision to “urgently” suspend Mr Schwartz’s registration to protect the “health and safety of future patients”.

The NSW Medical Council told the tribunal how Dr Schwartz was subject to condition imposed on him in 2015, which stated he was not able to give conscious sedation without an sedationist being present.

Dr Schwartz now owns 15 different hotels. Photo: Supplied

Despite this, Dr Schwartz continued to provide conscious sedation in multiple patients, with the NSW Medical Council telling the tribunal his decision to do so was “premeditated and deliberate”.

The tribunal also heard how Dr Schwartz had also given one patient in 2020 a “large” and “dangerous” dose of fentanyl and phenergan.

“The amount and combination of these two drugs is in my opinion a dangerous way to give conscious sedation but it is sedation,” anaesthetist Dr Ken Harrison, who provided expert evidence, told the tribunal.

Dr Schwartz’ registration was suspended based on these findings alone.

The tribunal also heard how Dr Schwartz billed Medicare for unclaimable consultations for both himself and his family members.

During a 17-month period, Dr Schwartz billed Medicare for his wife 17 times, his father-in-law six times and for himself twice, which included prescribing the balding treatment finasteride to himself.

“Dr Schwartz is either ignorant of the circumstances in which he is entitled to bill Medicare or he has deliberately made claims he knows he is not entitled to make,” the tribunal decision stated.

“Even if he is ignorant, it is his responsibility to ensure that he does not claim for services which do not attract a benefit.”

The tribunal also found Dr Schwartz’ records were “inadequate, incomplete and confusing”.

General practitioner Hester Wilson, who provided an expert report to the tribunal, said Dr Schwartz’s poor documentation left patients “at risk”.

“It is not always clear what treatment patients have had and Dr Schwartz doesn’t appear to remember himself what was done and not done,” she said.

“The notes make it difficult for other practitioners to take over care and this means that a task needed to be undertaken may either not be undertaken or unnecessarily repeated.”

‘Holding himself out’ as a medical practitioner

The NSW Medical Council also supplied to the tribunal a copy of Dr Schwartz’ website, which features a photo of “Dr Jerry Schwartz GP/Surgeon” and asks visitors to “please call reception to make an appointment”.

Mr Schwartz in photographs taken for the Australian’s 2024 Rich List. Picture: Nic Walker

The photos were taken in 2024, while Mr Schwartz was suspended. Picture: Nic Walker

“This document is not evidence that Dr Schwartz has been treating patients, but the Council submitted that it demonstrates that Dr Schwartz is holding himself out as a medical practitioner when in fact his registration has been suspended,” they said.

This is the first time Dr Schwartz’ suspension has been made public.

A screenshot of his comestic surgery website. Picture: Supplied

Top 250 Richest in Australia

During his ban, Dr Schwartz has thrown himself into the tycoon side of his Schwartz Family Company empire.

Last week, Dr Schwatz bought out majority control of Sydney Seaplanes, adding the company to his impressive portfolio which includes Sydney Brewery, the Sofitel Darling Harbour and the Fairmont Blue Mountains.

After making the Australian’s 250 Richest list in 2024, he told the paper he found it easier to make more through property than surgery.

“I make more money from a 10-minute phone call trying to save 10 per cent on a $100,000 invoice for buying plant and equipment for my hotels than I can in a whole day doing medical consultations,” he said, despite being suspended at the time.

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Originally published as ‘Did nothing wrong’: Millionaire cosmetic surgeon suspended, blames ‘victimisation’