Cosmetic surgery industry under scrutiny as Ahpra closes 200th case

In an unwavering crackdown on cosmetic surgery malpractices, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has announced the completion of its 200th cosmetic surgery and cosmetic practices notification about practitioners. The ‘clean-up’ comes just 18 months after Ahpra established its specially formed Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit, as part of its continuing crackdown on the industry.

In a statement by Ahpra on 11 April 2024, the regulator said more than 35 health practitioners have faced regulatory action following investigations into their performance of cosmetic surgery or non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

‘Around 9 per cent of the completed notifications to Ahpra have led to regulatory action for the practitioners involved, ranging from conditions imposed on practice, cautions issued and practitioners giving enforceable undertakings to improve their performance. In other cases, regulatory action was not required because practitioners had already changed their practices, or the stronger guidelines, that came into effect on 1 July last year, achieved the necessary impact,’ says Ahpra.

315 investigations currently underway

In addition to the 200-plus cases already completed, the Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit is currently investigating 315 active notifications about 127 cosmetic practitioners. This includes 180 highly complex investigation that relate to 15 practitioners who are no longer practising or have restrictions in place as an interim measure.

‘Interim measures have been taken in these cases to protect the public while the detailed investigations continue, with seven of these practitioners either suspended or not currently practising, four banned from undertaking cosmetic surgery, and another four with restrictions on the way they undertake specific procedures, such as breast surgery or liposuction.

‘Investigations into two of these practitioners have concluded and the matters have been referred to state tribunals which is the most serious action a National Board can take. Interim restrictions remain in place until the tribunal makes a final decision,’ the statement reads.

‘Largest, most detailed’ investigations ever undertaken by Ahpra

‘Resolving 200 cases in the past 18 months and taking interim action in relation to a further 180 notifications demonstrates that we are making an immediate impact, cleaning up the sector and acting to keep the public safe,’ Ahpra’s National Director of Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement, Jason McHeyzer, said.

‘These investigations can be very detailed and involve interviews with dozens of witnesses, including highly vulnerable patients and colleagues, as well as expert analysis of complex medical records and clinical settings. We are always conscious of the huge amount of work required in some cases to both maintain public safety and ensure procedural fairness for the practitioners involved.

‘The sheer number of notifications and their complexity make these investigations among the largest and most detailed ever undertaken by Ahpra.’