Toddler dies and baby brother left in serious condition after circumcisions at Perth clinic

A toddler has died and his baby brother was left in a serious condition after undergoing circumcisions at a Perth clinic.

Police say the death of the two-year-old is not being treated as suspicious.

Circumcision is banned at Australian public hospitals unless it is required for medical reasons, although the surgery can be carried out at private clinics by a general practitioner. The two boys underwent the procedure at a private facility in Perth, according to 7 News.

It is unclear whether the procedures were performed by the same practitioner, or what qualifications they had.

In Australia, most circumcisions are performed by general practitioners. According to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians [RACP], most circumcisions are carried out for family, cultural or religious reasons. Very rarely is a circumcision done for medical reasons.

Concern has previously been expressed by some RACP members that pain relief provided is not always adequate and that general practitioners may not be skilled enough to treat complications that arise or to manage pain, prompting calls to have the procedure only performed by a paediatric surgeon plus an anaesthetist.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), which investigates health practitioners, was contacted for comment. A memorandum of understanding exists between WA police and Ahpra to better facilitate the sharing of information about practitioners.