Specialist surgeons have called for an immediate ban on doctors performing cosmetic surgery unless they have completed an accredited surgical training program.

Yesterday, an AHPRA review into the cosmetic surgery industry suggested the Australian Medical Council (AMC) could formally accredit specific cosmetic surgery training.

While no doctor offering cosmetic surgery would be compelled by AHPRA to undergo the training, the watchdog would ‘endorse’ those who did the training and then issue warnings to patients to steer clear from those doctors without endorsement. 

However, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons said the system would take time to implement and changes to stop ‘cowboy’ doctors were needed now.