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The warning, issued on 28 September 2017, made the public aware that there are clinics operating that give the impression that they are above-board and credible, and supposedly working under the supervision of a registered Medical Practitioner, but are not meeting regulatory requirements. They are relying on the general public being unaware of the regulations relating to beauty salons and cosmetic clinics and thereby putting the health and safety of their clients at risk.
The full report from the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission can be viewed here: http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Cosmetic Clinic strongly recommends anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to research thoroughly and confirm all the following points before consenting to any procedure, whether it be surgical or non-surgical.
1. By law, a patient must always be first assessed by a registered Medical Practitioner (i.e. A Doctor, not a Nurse) prior to any Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures such as:
+ Botox, Xeomin or Dysport
+ Dermal fillers
+ Local Anaesthetics such as Lidocaine.
Dr George Mayson, Principal Cosmetic Surgeon of Sydney Cosmetic Clinic said, “The administration of medications by non-registered and unqualified persons is dangerous. Consumers who receive treatments in these circumstances are taking enormous risks that could ultimately lead to life changing injuries or even death – as sadly happened in Sydney this year, resulting in the death of a Beauty Salon owner who received injections into her breasts by an unqualified practitioner.”
2. Confirm that the products being offered to you are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
The import and supply of medications that are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) is illegal and very dangerous since there is no way of determining the safety of these medicines.
If the product offered isn’t approved by the ARTG – and a Clinic still offers it to you – it’s like playing Russian roulette with your health and safety. It is simply not worth the risk.
Some clinics also blatantly seek to attract clients by offering extremely discounted prices and can do so by using cheap, counterfeit products that may look like the genuine products but, in reality, are not.
Dr Mayson said, “If you are ever in doubt – don’t be afraid to ask the Clinic what product they intend to use, where they got it from and check the packaging for authenticity/manufacturer’s details.”
3. Confirm that the clinic is appropriately registered and properly equipped for infection control.
If there are skin penetration procedures at a clinic where there is no registered Medical Practitioner working, you should immediately notify the relevant local council. This then enables random inspections to be conducted to monitor compliance with Infection Control Regulations.
You should also satisfy yourself as to the following basic hygiene requirements:
+ The clinic needs to be clean and hygienic.
+ The clinic must have a ‘Contaminated Waste Disposal’ system.
+ The Clinic needs to have a hand basin with a clean supply of water, a liquid soap dispenser and single-use towels or a hand dryer for drying hands.
+ Protective equipment needs to be worn by the person carrying out the procedure in the form of gloves that have never been worn and a clean gown or apron.
+ Needles must not have been previously used and need to be properly disposed of using an appropriate ‘Sharps Container’.
+ Medication ampoules must only be used once and you are entitled to ask that the single use ampules are shown to you before the procedure starts.
4. If you are having Cosmetic Surgery:
There are extra protections in place for anyone who is undergoing Cosmetic Surgery procedures such as: significant Liposuction, Fat Transfer, Facial Implants, Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction & “Tummy Tuck” to name just some.
New legislation introduced in March 2017 requires that:
+ The above mentioned procedures must only be performed in licensed premises such as accredited Hospitals or licensed Day Surgery Centres.
+ Any administration of an anesthetic to achieve more than conscious sedation, must only be performed in licensed premises such as accredited Hospitals or licensed Day Surgery Centres.
+ The procedure is performed by a practitioner registered in Australia with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can verify your doctor’s registration at ahpra.gov.au
If the practitioner is not registered in Australia, do not proceed.
5. Have you been properly informed.
The practitioner performing the procedure should provide you with enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to have the procedure.
That means having a consultation that is not rushed and questions are able to be asked. The consultation should also be with the Doctor/Surgeon who will be doing your procedure, not by a Nurse or Sales Consultant of the practice.
Consumers should be provided with at least the following information:
+ What does the procedure involve
+ Is the procedure new or experimental
+ What products are being used in the procedure and are these products registered
+ What are the range of possible outcomes of the procedure
+ What are the risks and possible complications associated with the procedure
Sydney Cosmetic Clinic encourages those considering any cosmetic procedure to go to a reputable, law-abiding clinic which is professional in its administering of treatment; is clean and hygienic and uses the proper protective equipment and instrument sterilisation. They strongly recommend asking the Medical Practitioner about their qualifications, training and relevant experience in the procedure you are considering.
Release ID: 280738