VIC: No govt move over cosmetic surgeons yet: minister

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-1999
VIC: No govt move over cosmetic surgeons yet: minister

Victorian Health Minister ROB KNOWLES says he has no plans to take action about increased
complaints against cosmetic surgeons, until the state medical board completes its inquiries.

Ten Melbourne doctors face professional misconduct charges over complaints about cosmetic
surgery procedures, and are being investigated by the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria.

The board has told The Age newspaper the cases, some involving laser skin resurfacing and
liposuction, are part of a significant increase in complaints over the last two years.

Only three of the 10 doctors are qualified plastic surgeons, who have done seven years of
post-graduate study under the supervision of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Mr KNOWLES says Victoria could not restrict non-surgeons from using the tag "cosmetic
surgeon" without the cooperation of other states.

AAP RTV kmh/er/wz/jn

KEYWORD: COSMETIC KNOWLES (MELBOURNE)

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