Department/Agency
Health Council
Decided by
Health Ministers’ Meeting
Problem being addressed
Currently, all registered medical practitioners in Australia can use the title “surgeon”, including “cosmetic surgeon”, even when they have completed different levels of training or hold different qualifications. This may be confusing for members of the public, who may not have knowledge of medical practitioner qualifications and training. There is also a concern that this confusion may be leading to avoidable and disproportionate risks and harms to the public, resulting from poor cosmetic surgical outcomes.
Description of proposal
Victoria, in consultation with all jurisdictions, has prepared a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) to explain the current regulatory framework and the potential issues that may be arising from it. The Consultation RIS also proposes potential reform options which may help to address these issues. These options include:
- maintaining the status quo and existing regulatory and other tools, and using other methods to address issues
- increasing public awareness about the use of titles and provision of cosmetic procedures, and increasing opportunities for patient redress following adverse events
- strengthening the existing regulatory framework, including existing mechanisms designed to protect the public from harm
- restricting the title “surgeon” under the National Law, with feedback sought on which practitioners should be eligible to use the title.
RIS decision
Standard RIS required
Assessed RIS outcome
Compliant
Link to Consultation website
https://engage.vic.gov.au/medical-practitioners-use-title-surgeon-under-national-law