You may have seen the joint investigation between Four Corners and Nine newspapers last year, revealing inadequately trained doctors operating on patients in privately run facilities with serious hygiene and safety breaches. Multiple stories of disappointing outcomes — or worse, significant pain and disfigurement — had surfaced, putting the industry under the spotlight.

Following this investigation, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) was tasked with reviewing licensing standards around clinics, day procedure centres and hospitals where cosmetic procedures were being performed.

As cosmetic surgery falls outside of Medicare and could previously occur in facilities not accredited day hospitals, there was a lack of oversight, and serious problems emerged from patients putting their trust in unscrupulous practitioners.

New national standards have now been released to protect patients, with many of the guidelines coming from AHPRA (The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Medical Board of Australia.

How these new standards affect you, the patient:

• GP referral for consultation: You’ll need a GP referral before you have a consultation with Dr Feldman or any doctor who may perform your cosmetic surgery.
• Two consultations: You must have a minimum of two consultations before proceeding with cosmetic surgery. (At the Clinic of Cosmetic Medicine, your Initial Consultation is a time to meet, discuss your concerns, perform the necessary medical checks and fully inform you so that you can decide whether the procedure is for you. No GP referral is required for this appointment. After this consultation, you’ll take some time to determine whether you’d like to proceed. If so, you’ll need a referral from your GP (as outlined above) before returning to Dr Feldman for your second consultation.)
• Cooling off period: After signing your consent form before booking surgery and paying a deposit, you must have a minimum of seven days cooling off period before commencing surgery.
• More detailed understanding of your procedure: You’ll be fully informed of your procedure by being presented with detailed information about all costs, risks, possible outcomes, recovery time, restrictions, and any additional treatments you may need. You’ll also be given information on how to make a complaint.
• Registered Day surgery: All patients must have their procedures performed in registered facilities, such as the Clinic of Cosmetic Medicine, which is registered day surgery. NB: This change does not affect Dr Feldman’s patients as she has been performing all her procedures in her registered day surgery here in South Yarra.’
• Advertising rules: Doctors cannot use misleading advertisements, such as using models or celebrities to advertise procedures, altered or inconsistent before and after photos or advertising that does not include links to risks and potential complications of procedures.

SUMMARY: These new, stricter changes to the cosmetic surgery industry are welcomed as they give you, the patient, more knowledge and protection. It allows you to consider the procedure from all angles, do your research and take your time before deciding on your cosmetic surgery procedure.

New requirements for cosmetic surgery facilities

• Maintain rigorous infection control measures
• Hire only properly trained staff
• Use quality equipment
• Provide adequate after-care
• Ensure patients get a referral from an independent GP and undergo psychological evaluation
• Explain potential risks to patients

Further reading & helpful links for patients

• Department of Health: Questions to Ask Before Surgery: be informed by knowing how to ask the right questions about your procedure, the doctor, the facility where the procedure will take place, your covering after-care and who to call if you have concerns afterwards.
• Department of Health: Patient safety checklist: a helpful list of vital information you’ll need to tick off before proceeding with your cosmetic surgery.
• Department of Health: What you need to know before deciding on cosmetic surgery
• Requirements for GP referral: All patients seeking cosmetic surgery now require a referral from a GP. Read the FAQs for more information on this topic.
• National register of health practitioners: Check to see that your doctor is registered here
• Cosmetic Surgery Hotline – for concerns, complaints and guidance, call 1300 361 041

For more information contact Dr Feldman’s office today.