Medical Board of Australia proposes draft guidelines for cosmetic medical surgical procedures

As part of a new draft of guidelines pertaining to cosmetic medical and surgical procedures, the Medical Board of Australia has proposed a 7-day waiting period for all adults prior to cosmetic surgery procedures, in addition to mandatory psychological assessments for patients younger than 18 years of age, according to a press release.

The board announced it has initiated a consultation in search of feedback for managing risks to patients without imposing regulatory burden on practitioners. The four options for managing risks for which the board is currently seeking opinions are: specific guidance for registered medical practitioners who provide cosmetic procedures, doing nothing, boosting consumer education and providing less-explicit guidance to medical practitioners, according to the release.

Joanna Flynn

Also being proposed within the draft guidelines is a 3-month cooling-off period before procedures for patients younger than 18 years; explicit guidance on informed patient consent, including risks and possible complications; and required in-person consultations before prescribing Schedule 4 cosmetic injectables, among others.

"In lots of ways, cosmetic procedures are different from other medical procedures," board chair, Joanna Flynn, AM, said in the press release. "We are looking for the best way to manage risk to patients without limiting or making judgments about consumer choices."

Interested parties can submit recommendations for the consultation to medboardconsultation@ahpra.gov.au by Friday, May 29.

Reference: www.medicalboard.gov.au.