Cosmetic Medicine by Dr Jennifer Dunlop

about the ACCS
The overriding aim of the College is easily summarised:
raising standards… protecting patients.
The Australasian
College of
Cosmetic Surgery
(ACCS)
Dedicated to quality, ethical
and responsible practice.
WHO WE ARE
The ACCS is a multi-disciplinary
body including general surgeons,
dermatologists, ear nose and throat
surgeons, ophthalmologists and
other doctors who specialise in
cosmetic surgery.
The factor that unifies this divergent
group is that they all need to obtain
additional specialised education, training
and experience beyond their original area
of postgraduate specialisation before
becoming competent in cosmetic
medical practice.
our vision
To have Cosmetic Medical Practice
recognised as a new Medical
Specialty, performed only by certified
cosmetic practitioners.
our mission
To ensure the safe provision of cosmetic
surgery and non-surgical procedures
(such as laser and light treatments, dermal
fillers and wrinkle relaxant injections) to
the Australian general community through
supply of appropriately trained and
certified medical practitioners.
In the interests of patient protection, the Australasian College
of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) was established in 1999 to bring
regulation and accountability into the practice of cosmetic
surgery and cosmetic medicine.
The goal of the ACCS is to ensure the safe provision of
cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures to the Australian
general community through supply of appropriately trained and
certified medical practitioners.
Cosmetic medical practice is a well defined and unique
medical branch, currently performed by medical practitioners
from various specialties including dermatology, general
surgery, general practice, plastic and reconstructive surgery,
oral and maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology
and gynaecology.
The ACCS is the only group in Australia with a single
focus on cosmetic surgery and medicine and is the only
one that offers formal training and accreditation in cosmetic
medicine and surgery. It has a medical faculty that accredits
cosmetic physicians and a surgical faculty that accredits
cosmetic surgeons.
Another important initiative undertaken by the College was
the introduction of a Code of Practice in 2009. It was authorised
by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
(ACCC). The Code covers, among other things, advertising
and other promotional conduct, informed consent guidelines,
monitoring of the code and has an extensive governance
regime including independent compliance audits and reports
to the ACCC.
How qualified is your cosmetic doctor?
Are they a Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic
Surgery? Do they have the right to display the symbols below?
These symbols denote that not only is the doctor a Fellow of
the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery but also they
have successfully participated in a continuing education and
recertification programme. This, unlike that of other Colleges,
is specific for cosmetic medicine and surgery.
CERTIFIED
IN COSMETIC
SURGERY
cosmetic surgery & medicine www.accs.org.au // 3