Report: There’s nothing wrong with cosmetic surgery but beware of specialist qualifications

The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery today welcomed just released UK medical report, ‘On the face of it’.

The report, released by the UK’s National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), warns patients that cosmetic surgery has not yet been recognised as a medical specialty and they should not rely on the recognised specialist qualifications of practitioners who perform cosmetic procedures.

The situation in Australia is similar. Patients routinely undergo cosmetic procedures by specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeons and other specialists, who are unable to provide evidence of appropriate certified training in those procedures. Some of these ‘lets have a go’ plastic surgeons practice cosmetic procedures only part time or rarely, sometimes with devastating consequences.

The report warns: “The present reliance on inclusion on the specialist register does not give any assurance that a surgeon has received adequate training in cosmetic surgery.”

In welcoming the report, ACCS President Dr Russell Knudsen said, “Australians should be able to have confidence that the practitioner they choose for their procedure has been appropriately trained in cosmetic surgery and is certified in the procedure and performs it regularly. There’s no place for moonlighting or part-timers.”

“Our College has expressed its concern to authorities that there is a misperception in the Australian community that practitioners who may have recognised specialist qualifications are specifically trained in and therefore a “specialist” in cosmetic surgery.”

“That misperception, which, been encouraged by a long-running campaign by some plastic and reconstructive surgeons, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, undermine informed consent and threaten patient safety. A recognised specialist qualification in plastic and reconstructive surgery is no assurance that a practitioner has the necessary training and expertise,” Dr Knudsen warned.

Dr Knudsen advised Australians considering having a cosmetic procedure to ask their practitioner what his or her training is in the procedure they want. “You should choose a doctor based on his or her relevant education, training, experience and proven competence in the specific procedure you are considering,” Dr Knudsen said.

The Report, “On the face of it: A review of the organisational structures surrounding the practice of cosmetic surgery”, is available to download from NCEPOD:

http://www.ncepod.org.uk/2010cs.htm

For further information or interviews, contact: Alan RM Jones m. 0420 757 009

The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery is a multi-disciplinary body of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, ophthalmologists and other doctors who specialise in cosmetic medicine and surgery. The goal of the ACCS is to ensure the safe provision of cosmetic medical and surgical procedures to the Australian community through supply of appropriately trained and certified medical practitioners. The College has made a full application to the Australian Medical Council to have Cosmetic Medical Practice recognised as a new Medical Specialty.

That application may be viewed at: www.cosmeticmedicalpracticesubmission.info

For additional information about the ACCS, please visit: http://www.accs.org.au/