Major HIV, hepatitis warning after Fresh Cosmetic Clinic in Sydney is raided by health authorities
Australian customers of a cosmetics clinic have been urged to get tested for blood-borne diseases after the company allegedly breached infection controls.
Fresh Cosmetic Clinic, previously located on busy George Street in Sydney’s CBD, was raided by health authorities earlier this month.
NSW Health and the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) have issued public health warnings over allegations of misconduct.
The clinic is alleged to have breached infection controls, used expired medicines on clients and used false registration certificates from qualified doctors.
Researchers claim that unqualified workers administered drugs such as Botox, fillers and hyaluronic acid during cosmetic procedures.
Fresh Cosmetic Clinic closed on Wednesday after the HCCC imposed an interim prohibition order banning the provision of any healthcare services for eight weeks.
NSW Health urged clinic clients who received injections or underwent an invasive procedure (such as breast implants, facial or nose line cutting) to consult their GP as soon as possible and ask to be tested for blood-borne viruses.
People who contract blood-borne diseases may not show symptoms for years, warned Dr Vicky Sheppeard, director of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit, calling it a “silent infection”.
Fresh Cosmetic Clinic, previously located on busy George Street in Sydney’s CBD, was raided by health authorities earlier this month (stock image)
“Bloodborne viruses can be spread between clients where injections or invasive procedures are performed without strict infection control,” she said.
‘There are effective treatments for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.’
NSW Health continues to work with the HCCC to consider whether any other action should be taken in relation to the clinic.
The reason for the investigation was initially complaints about the clinic and its staff.
There’s more to come.