​NSW Health is urging people who are considering having minor cosmetic procedures to check the practitioner’s credentials before undergoing treatment.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty, NSW Acting Chief Health Officer, said NSW Health has received reports that some unregistered people were offering surgical and other cosmetic procedures from their homes in Sydney suburbs.

“While investigations into these complaints are ongoing, we are concerned there may be other unregistered people carrying out these risky procedures in the community,” Dr McAnulty said.

“I find this very concerning as it places people at greater risk from poor surgical outcomes, severe infections and even nerve damage or disfigurement.”

Cosmetic procedures involving surgery, injections or other restricted medicines such as eyelid surgery, injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers, should only be performed by a medical practitioner registered in Australia.

Dr McAnulty said unregistered practitioners, who may be offering services at a cheap rate, are unlikely to have appropriate training in how to properly perform procedures and how to avoid infection, or to have insurance if something goes wrong.

“If people do choose to undergo surgical or cosmetic treatments, they should seek the advice of their family GP and check the credentials of the person before undergoing any procedure,” Dr McAnulty said.

To check if a medical practitioner is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency visit: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx

NSW Health urges anyone who has concerns about any medical treatment they have received to contact the Health Care Complaints Commission by telephoning 1800 043 159.