NSW introduces tougher regulations for cosmetic surgery

The introduction of tougher regulations regarding the advertising of medical services in New South Wales, Australia, promises to offer better protection to people considering cosmetic surgery.

The new regulations which are included in the Medical Practice Amendment (Advertising) Regulation 2008 come into effect today and New South Wales Minister for Health Reba Meagher says they should stop the use of confusing scientific and statistical information and misleading information.

Ms Meagher says the new regulations make it clear that there is no place within the practice of medicine for unscrupulous operators who use dubious advertising to promote their services.

The regulations should put an end to the misleading use of 'before and after' photographs which often give people unrealistic expectations about the results they can expect from certain medical procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, says Ms Meagher.

The changes will mean that 'before and after' photographs can not be altered or manipulated in any way, are of genuine patients and must include a prominent statement that they represent one person's experience and there is no guarantee that any other patient will experience similar results.

Any scientific or statistical information used in advertising must now be presented in a manner which is readily understood by people without scientific or medical expertise.

Ms Meagher says the new cosmetic surgery guidelines developed by the NSW Medical Board also require a 'cooling off' period for people under the age of 18 years and also provide a three-month cooling off period between the time of the initial consultation and a second consultation when the surgery can be booked.

Ms Meagher says it is particularly important that young people contemplating cosmetic surgery have access to detailed information about the procedure and time to fully consider the risks and the need for surgery without rushing into a decision.

Ms Meagher says truth must be provided in advertising for medical services.

The new regulation have been a long time coming as a cosmetic surgery inquiry ten years ago raised serious concerns about some of the advertising used in the industry.

However, the industry still remains largely unregulated and because there is no recognised accreditation those with a basic medical degree can adopt and exploit the 'cosmetic surgeon' title.''

In 2004 the Cosmetic Surgery Credentialing Council was disbanded in 2004 after stakeholders including plastic surgeons and 'cosmetic surgeons' failed to agree on minimum training and qualification standards.

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons says there has been a lack of disclosure which allows unscrupulous people to flourish.

The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery has welcomed the new laws and wants the industry recognised as a medical specialty - this would oblige doctors to train before calling themselves cosmetic surgeons.

The College says at present there is no recognised specialty of cosmetic surgery therefore no one is currently qualified to call themselves a cosmetic surgeon.