Australia’s health ministers have expressed concern about medical practitioners’ use of the title ‘surgeon’, particularly ‘cosmetic surgeon’ and are considering regulatory options to protect the public.
Currently any registered medical practitioner is permitted to use these titles regardless of whether they have obtained entry-level or advanced surgical skills and training.
Community members and health stakeholders were invited to respond to a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement and consumer survey between mid-December 2021 and 1 April 2022 to share their views and experiences and provide feedback on policy options.
Reform options include a proposal to amend the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to restrict use of the title ‘surgeon’ by medical practitioners, with feedback sought on which practitioners should be eligible to use the title.
Health departments in each state and territory and the Commonwealth are working collaboratively to analyse the submissions and survey responses for consideration by health ministers.
The information collected during the national public consultation will inform government decisions and the development of a Decision Regulation Impact Statement for public release in 2022-23.
For further information about this joint-jurisdictional project, visit the project page on the Engage Victoria Website.
