Patients of Sydney Cosmetic Clinic Potentially Exposed Blood-Borne Viruses Including HIV

A Sydney clinic has come under fire after a major investigation revealed cosmetic patients have potentially been exposed to blood-borne viruses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 

The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) issued a statement on Monday warning the public about “Ketthip Beauty Clinic on Sussex Street urging those who received infusions or underwent invasive procedures to get tested.

The HCCC underwent an investigation, executing a search warrant on the Clinic on 27 February following a number of complaints in relation to the Clinic. The independent body imposed an interim prohibition order, preventing the clinic from providing health services of any kind for a period of eight weeks. 

Warnings about Ketthip Cosmetic Clinic

Evidence gathered during the investigation suggested that unlicensed individuals at the clinic may be “pretending to be registered medical practitioners” and “seeking to mislead clients of the clinic”. 

The HCCC said it seized large quantities of medical equipment including scalpels, sutures, cannulas and other medical devices which were marked “for veterinary use only”. The Commission expressed concerns that non-registered individuals at the clinic may have also been performing “invasive surgical procedures” including breast augmentation, in the absence of registered health practitioners. 

Large amounts of controlled medications that had been actively used at Ketthip Beauty Clinic had been allegedly imported illegally from overseas and were expired. 

“Large quantities of imported Prescription Only Schedule 4 medicines, including injectable cosmetic medicines and local anaesthetics, were found at the clinic of unknown quality, safety and efficacy, posing potential significant health safety risks to members of the public,” the Commission said. 

The Commission warned the public that at least one person may have had an adverse reaction to the procedures being performed by the Clinic.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Unit Advises Clients to Be Tested

The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit (Public Health Unit) advises clients of the Clinic who had infusions, injections or underwent any invasive procedure (such as microdermabrasion or PDO thread lift) to see their GP and ask to be tested for blood borne viruses. 

If clients of the Clinic wish to find out more about potential exposure to blood borne viruses they may also contact the Public Health Unit via SESLHD-PublicHealthEnquiry@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 066 055.

Consumers considering cosmetic treatments are encouraged to speak with their registered medical practitioner prior to undergoing procedures. 

Individuals can check to see if a practitioner is registered in Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website at https://www.ahpra.gov.au/.

The Commission also encourages any person considering these procedures to read the AHPRA Fact Sheet on Injectables “Supporting a safe choice about cosmetic injectables” for more information here.