A regulator has begun 13 investigations into allegedley unsafe or inappropriate cosmetic surgeries. -AAP Image
The medical regulator has launched 13 investigations into allegedly unsafe or inappropriate cosmetic surgery practices after graphic claims of malpractice.
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Some of 60 tip-offs received by the regulator allege providers are intimidating patients, making unrealistic cosmetic surgery claims or have poor post-operative care and infection control, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said.
"The allegations relate to practitioners and matters which had never previously been reported to AHPRA," CEO Martin Fletcher said.Â
The tip-offs were filed through the regulator's cosmetic surgery hotline set up in September.
On average, a new investigation was being launched each week based on these tip-offs, the regulator said.
The Medical Board of Australia has written to the country's 133,000 medical practitioners reminding them of their obligations to report unsafe practices.
The hotline was set up as part of the 16 recommendations from an independent review of the regulation of the cosmetic industry.
The regulator and the medical board set up the review following reports in 2021 of unsafe conduct in the cosmetic surgery industry.
A body to provide oversight to the wide-ranging cosmetic surgery reforms will commence in February 2023.
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