NEW COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR ELIGIBLE SPECIALIST PLASTIC SURGEONS New Board aims to address lack of consumer trust and confidence choosing qualified surgeons
With
Dr Scott Ingram, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Taringa, Queensland &
Past-President and Current Board Member,
The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastics Surgeons (ASAPS)
Australian Health Journal segment
Filmed in Brisbane | March 2025
The newly established Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery (ANZBCPS) has highlighted a concerning lack of confidence among cosmetic surgery patients in selecting qualified surgeons based on available online information. A January 2025 survey showed that 58% of respondents faced difficulties in finding the right surgeon, with 44% expressing mistrust in online resources. Furthermore, 27% were unsure about who is legally permitted to perform cosmetic surgery in Australia.
In response to these challenges, the ANZBCPS has introduced the Board Certified Program to ensure patients have access to trustworthy information about qualified surgeons. Participating surgeons may use the title “ANZBCPS Board Certified,” indicating they meet stringent quality and safety standards, and adhere to the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements set by AHPRA.
Eligibility criteria for ANZBCPS Board Certified surgeon:
- Successfully awarded the FRACS (Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) following accredited plastic surgery training
- Registered as a specialist in the recognised speciality of plastic surgery by the
- AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) Regulation or the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
- Membership of good standing on ASAPS or ASPS or NZAPS.
- Involved in the practice of cosmetic surgery
- Complete the CPD of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
- Nominate RACS as CPD home.
- Complete cosmetic surgery specific CPD as specified by the board
The program aims to help the public easily identify qualified cosmetic plastic surgeons committed to ethical practices and continuous training. Patients can search for certified surgeons through the official ANZBCPS website, ensuring that selected professionals are registered specialists with the necessary qualifications.
The ANZBCPS certification process ensures that surgeons maintain active practices in cosmetic surgery while complying with regulations, thereby fostering ongoing education and improvement. This initiative provides patients with confidence and peace of mind when choosing a cosmetic plastic surgeon, ultimately aiming to improve standards and trust within the field of cosmetic surgery.
Source: Adapted from media release (supplied)
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Interview with Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing
Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing spoke with Anne Dao from Australian Health Journal, at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week Expo on the vital role of the nursing professional.
Australian College of Nursing oversees 390,000 nurses in Australia and is the national leader in the nursing profession.
Changes in nursing policy are needed in areas of aged care, chronic disease and workforce sustainability. There are forecasts of shortages in nursing by the year 2025 of 80,000 and by 2030 the number growing by 125,000.
Kylie also mentioned the new Nursing Trailbrazers Award that has been recognised by Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt. The 4 finalists have been recognised for influencing models of care, and implementing game changing initiatives across the country. They will be presented at the Nursing Now Australia event held by the ACN on 9th April.
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Future of minimally invasive surgery
Macquarie University Hospital is the first hospital in Australia to have three robotic surgical systems. It remains the busiest centre for robotic urology in New South Wales and has rapidly growing programs in other areas. What is behind the Hospital’s success?
Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO of Macquarie University Hospital, says that the story of robotics at the Hospital is driven by its academic health sciences identity.
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Medicinal cannabis in Australia Update
According to the Australian Journal of General Practice, published by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, more than 130,000 medicinal cannabis approvals have been issued in Australia to date, mostly by general practitioners, with approximately 65% of these to treat chronic non-cancer pain. Despite robust supportive data from animal models, current clinical trial evidence for THC and CBD efficacy in chronic pain is incomplete. In their prescribing decisions, doctors must balance patient demand and curiosity with caution regarding potential risks and limited efficacy (Source: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/october/medicinal-cannabis)
Australian Health Journal met with 3 speakers at the recent @arcsaustralia ARCS22 Conference providing an update on medicinal cannabis. The discussion with the speakers now centres on affordability and access.
