A leading plastic surgeon has slammed a proposal to lift the ban on health practitioners using patient testimonials to promote their practices, saying people can’t “choose your doctor on Yelp”, like they can a radio.

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) president made the comments at a Queensland parliamentary inquiry into changing current health practitioner laws that would allow such testimonials.

Dr Daniel Kennedy told a hearing on Wednesday that the ASPS was against the move as it would put patients at further risk from unqualified people carrying out medical procedures. 

“I do understand that there is a public appetite for it, but I would say … you can’t choose your doctor on Yelp because it’s just not the same as buying a radio.”