A woman who worked at a Werribee cosmetic clinic is under investigation by Australia’s doctor regulator.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) last week confirmed Phoebe Pacheco may have offered patients of the Werribee Cosmetic Clinic “medical care” during her time there.
Ms Pacheco is not registered as a medical practitioner in Australia, although her LinkedIn page, seen by Star Weekly, claimed she undertook training to be a doctor in the Philippines. The profile claimed she worked as a “physician’s assistant” and a medical laser specialist. The page has since been removed.
According to its website, the clinic specialises in laser treatments for hair removal, skin rejuvenation, acne scars, tattoo removal, and other skin treatments, some of which require qualified doctors to perform.
Calls to the clinic went unanswered last week. Anyone who may have seen Ms Pacheco as a patient at the clinic is asked by AHPRA to consult a registered doctor about the treatment they received.
The Department of Health and Human Services has written to 145 patients registered with the clinic as a precautionary measure.
AHPRA believes more patients have seen Ms Pacheco, but their contact details are not known.
AHPRA executive Chris Robertson said it was important that patients know that when they see a registered practitioner, they are seeing someone who has met the standards and are accountable to them.
Clients of Ms Pacheco are urged to contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 or AHPRA on 1300 419 495.
Check practitioners online at www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx
