Patient Safety is Paramount
Following an extensive public consultation process and significant review, new measures are now in place for patients undergoing cosmetic surgery.
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) have uncovered a range of issues including:
- Serious patient safety concerns
- Poor patient care
- Unsatisfactory surgical outcomes
- Aggressive and inappropriate advertising
Unscrupulous operators have been in the spotlight for targeting vulnerable people on social media, and putting patient’s lives at risk with unsafe, unhygienic practices.
This, of course, concerns us all. Measures that better inform and protect patients are welcome. Let’s see how effectively these translate into better outcomes.
What Has Changed For YOU?
- Before making an appointment to discuss your cosmetic surgery procedure, you now need a referral from a GP who knows your medical history. This can also come from another specialist, however, your GP is preferred.
- Two consultations with your surgeon are necessary before going ahead with your chosen procedure, which includes a cooling off period.
- NB: For patients under 18 a three-month cooling off period between consultations, consent and surgery applies.
- Consent must again be granted and documented on the day of surgery.
- A Clinical Psychologist assessment may be required before proceeding with cosmetic surgery.
Consent can be granted once you understand the following:
- Procedure details,
- Alternatives to undergoing surgery,
- Risks of surgery,
- Downtime,
- Costs,
- Surgeon’s qualifications and experience
What Has Changed For Me?
Unfortunately, I’ve been required to delete videos showcasing patient experiences and results that I had posted – with their prior consent – to my Instagram account. I felt that these videos were a helpful way of demonstrating my skills and educating the public about the procedures. I can still showcase the videos and other resources during a consultation, however.
Guidelines have changed:
- My team and I are across the guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and will be complying with all the requirements.
- We are across the latest advertising guidelines, including a ban on the use of testimonials.
- My medical registration type and number will be included on all social media posts. I am a Specialist Head and Neck Surgeon specialising in Facelifts and Facial Plastic surgery FRACS (Registration: MED0001133270)
- Disclaimer wording at the end of each social media post*.
What Hasn’t Changed?
- Our team will continue to provide comprehensive information before and after your facial plastic surgery procedure.
- Our level of care will always be to the highest standards.
- Our state-of-the-art facilities will continue to be maintained to the highest standards.
- I will continue to share my skills, educating other surgeons, as an invited speaker to local and international multidisciplinary events.
- You won’t see changes in before and after photos posted as I have always adhered to best practise: obtaining consent, including details regarding timeframes between photos & procedure/s undergone, as well as stating that the outcomes experienced by each person will be unique to them.
Patient safety and satisfaction must always be placed as the top priority.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see Dr Marcells (with referral from your GP) please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Stay connected:
*All surgeries on this page are performed by Dr George Marcells and are published with consent by our patients. Before after images are posted and dated at the time of the individual’s recovery.
They are not guarantees that your results will be the same or similar as results will vary between individuals due to many factors including the individual’s genetics.
The content on our page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risks and has a recovery time, please see our websitewww.drgeorgemarcells more information.
Before proceeding, please seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.
Dr Marcells is a Specialist Head and Neck Surgeon specialising in Facelifts and Facial Plastic surgery FRACS (Registration: MED0001133270)
- Serious patient safety concerns
- Poor patient care
- Unsatisfactory surgical outcomes
- Aggressive and inappropriate advertising
What Has Changed For YOU?
- Before making an appointment to discuss your cosmetic surgery procedure, you now need a referral from a GP who knows your medical history. This can also come from another specialist, however, your GP is preferred.
- Two consultations with your surgeon are necessary before going ahead with your chosen procedure, which includes a cooling off period.
- NB: For patients under 18 a three-month cooling off period between consultations, consent and surgery applies.
- Consent must again be granted and documented on the day of surgery.
- A Clinical Psychologist assessment may be required before proceeding with cosmetic surgery.
- Procedure details,
- Alternatives to undergoing surgery,
- Risks of surgery,
- Downtime,
- Costs,
- Surgeon’s qualifications and experience
What Has Changed For Me?
Unfortunately, I’ve been required to delete videos showcasing patient experiences and results that I had posted - with their prior consent - to my Instagram account. I felt that these videos were a helpful way of demonstrating my skills and educating the public about the procedures. I can still showcase the videos and other resources during a consultation, however. Guidelines have changed:- My team and I are across the guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and will be complying with all the requirements.
- We are across the latest advertising guidelines, including a ban on the use of testimonials.
- My medical registration type and number will be included on all social media posts. I am a Specialist Head and Neck Surgeon specialising in Facelifts and Facial Plastic surgery FRACS (Registration: MED0001133270)
- Disclaimer wording at the end of each social media post*.
What Hasn’t Changed?
- Our team will continue to provide comprehensive information before and after your facial plastic surgery procedure.
- Our level of care will always be to the highest standards.
- Our state-of-the-art facilities will continue to be maintained to the highest standards.
- I will continue to share my skills, educating other surgeons, as an invited speaker to local and international multidisciplinary events.
- You won’t see changes in before and after photos posted as I have always adhered to best practise: obtaining consent, including details regarding timeframes between photos & procedure/s undergone, as well as stating that the outcomes experienced by each person will be unique to them.
Stay connected:
*All surgeries on this page are performed by Dr George Marcells and are published with consent by our patients. Before after images are posted and dated at the time of the individual’s recovery. They are not guarantees that your results will be the same or similar as results will vary between individuals due to many factors including the individual's genetics. The content on our page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risks and has a recovery time, please see our websitewww.drgeorgemarcells more information. Before proceeding, please seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. Dr Marcells is a Specialist Head and Neck Surgeon specialising in Facelifts and Facial Plastic surgery FRACS (Registration: MED0001133270)Ask a question
Meet Dr Marcells
MBBS (Syd), FRACS (ORL-HNS)
Past President – Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons
Dr George Marcells is known for excellence in facial plastic surgery and is considered a true master of rhinoplasty. He performs advanced surgical techniques to restore balance and harmony to the face and can also resolve functional issues such as breathing difficulties.
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