New data released by the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) has revealed that a quarter of all HCC investigations in the past year related to cosmetic procedures.
The Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos has launched a new social media campaign by the Department of Health and Human Services to highlight the dangers of unregulated cosmetic surgery.
“All cosmetic procedures carry risks, including disfigurement and infection,” Ms Mikakos said.
“In some cases, it can be deadly,” she said.
“Aggressive new trends and cheap deals are increasingly targeting vulnerable customers with unlicensed facilities, low-cost imitation and online influencers emerging on the market.”
Ms Mikakos said the Government wanted to stop people being lured into cheap deals on cosmetic surgery.
She said the Government had passed landmark reforms to protect patients, making it mandatory that all surgery be provided by a registered private hospital or day procedure centre.
“The Government has also changed the law to ensure liposuction and anaesthesia is carried out in a registered private hospital or day procedure centre,” she said.
Ms Mikakos urged people to report “dodgy operators” to authorities or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Further information, including campaign videos and how to check a practitioner’s registration, can be accessed on the Better Health website at this PS News link.
