The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is calling for public submissions on a bid to have cosmetic medical practice recognised as a medical specialty in Australia.
In a media statement published on its website, the AMC said it has launched its specialty recognition assessment process in response to an application by the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) for the recognition of cosmetic medical practice as a medical specialty, which is not currently recognised as such in Australia.
The ACCS has applied to have its specialist education and training programs recognised as a standard for a particular area of practice.
In assessing the recognition of medical specialties, the AMC manages a linked, two-stage evidence-based process. Recognition as a specialty is conditional on the successful completion of both stages of the process.
Organisations with training programs in that specialty may apply for the AMC to accredit their training programs.
The application from the ACCS for the recognition of cosmetic medical practice as a specialty is in the first stage of the process.
The AMC has said that public submissions can be short. Organisations and individuals can limit their responses to a particular criterion or sub-criteria. Only submissions that address the criteria and sub-criteria will be considered. The AMC is asking for submissions to be provided electronically.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm AEST 4 June, 2009. The submissions process generally takes two months.
For more information about the recognition process, visit the AMC website at www.amc.org.au.