Doctors’ lobbies say underqualified surgeons in day clinics are increasing the number of botched medical procedures.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) want tougher regulations.

The three organisations have published a paper on reports of serious patient harm linked to procedures performed in “office settings”.

These environment often use intravenous sedation and potentially toxic doses of local anaesthesia administered outside of normal regulations.

ANZCA President Professor David Scott said an overhaul of minimum standards is needed nationwide.

“We're really concerned about the increasing number of episodes of harm as a result of procedures being performed in unregulated environments, by people who don't necessarily have the appropriate qualifications,” Professor Scott said.

“We want the same set of rules and guidelines that we've put in place to build legislation to protect the public.”

The advocates recommend:

  • Increased assessments of clinics
  • Mandatory registration and training for staff
  • Rules to force the use of qualified anaesthetists
  • Better monitoring of patients post-procedure
  • Proper documentation of operations

“There are events occurring in a number of states, and all the states have realised there's regulation needed in this space,” Professor Scott said.

“[But] they're going about it in different ways. We're saying, let's get onto the same program, let's get around the same set of rules.”