Assessment to the Cosmetic Surgery Standards
Independent assessment against the Cosmetic Surgery Standards, and the awarding of accreditation, provides confidence to the community that a Service where cosmetic surgery is performed has the safety and quality systems and processes in place to meet expected standards of care.
Background
The Commission is working with state and territory governments to ensure cosmetic surgery is conducted in appropriately licensed facilities that are accredited to national safety and quality standards, such as the Cosmetic Surgery Standards.
State and territory regulators will determine any specific definitions to be applied in this context consistent with their jurisdictional licensing schemes.
The Cosmetic Surgery Standards also reference the new Medical Board of Australia (MBA) requirements regarding cosmetic surgery practice. This is inclusive of MBA guidelines specific to:
- registered medical practitioners performing cosmetic surgery and procedures and
- registered medical practitioners who advertise cosmetic surgery.
These guidelines compliment the Cosmetic Surgery Standard and are an important part of the cosmetic surgery reforms.
National Licensing Framework
Cosmetic surgery that is not performed within appropriately licensed facilities can contribute to serious consequences for consumer health outcomes. As part of the suite of broader cosmetic surgery reforms agreed by Australian Health Ministers, the Commission has developed a National Licensing Framework for Cosmetic Surgery (the Licensing Framework). This work has only been possible through extensive consultation with states, territories and key industry stakeholders.
The Framework has been developed to:
- Support safe care for all patients and consumers
- Recognise and build on the current strengths of state and territory legislation
- Specifically target areas where there is greatest risk of harm to consumers of cosmetic surgery
- Link licensing requirements with accreditation to appropriate national safety and quality standards developed by the Commission.
The implementation of the Framework is the responsibility of states and territories. States and territories will give effect to this Framework by adoption through their relevant regulatory schemes for private health facilities.
Accreditation
Accreditation enables the collection and reporting of data that can be used to inform decisions about safety and quality improvements nationally, by states and territories and at a local level. It can be used to improve transparency and support patients to make informed decisions about where their surgery is performed.
The Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme provides the national coordination of accreditation processes. Collecting and analysing feedback on the lessons learnt through accreditation is an essential part of quality improvement. The Commission uses feedback to identify areas where health services may require additional support or tools and to maintain and update the safety and quality standards developed by the Commission.
Assessor training modules are currently in development for the new and partially matched action items identified in the Cosmetic Surgery Standard. These training modules will support accrediting agencies and assessors in evaluating Services against the Cosmetic Surgery Standards.
More information
For questions and feedback regarding implementation of the Cosmetic Surgery Standards please contact the Safety and Quality Advice Centre via AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au or 1800 304 056.
