Subiaco Plastic Surgery – Elective Surgery and COVID-19 Protection


​With the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions, Subiaco Plastic Surgery is still taking many steps to protect you and my staff and anaesthetist;

  • We are following government restrictions and prioritisation on hospital care and surgery   
  • We are seeing patients face-to-face - with social distancing, strict hygiene measures, patient screening and protective screens 
  • Our appointment times have been spread out to minimise the number of people in the waiting room
  • We are providing quality aftercare for patients – with strict infection control measures
  • We are also offering telephone and cyber consultations for current and new patients. To organise this please phone 9381 6977 or message from our website
 
Join us on our Instagram and Facebook @DrLewisB and we will keep you up to date on how we are helping keep a lid on the virus and also provide updates on operating theatre availability.   
 
Join us in social distancing and excellent hygiene and help keep a lid on the COVID-19 virus 

The Latest Update

Elective surgery recommencing in WA from 28 April 2020

Call 08 9381 6977 to make your booking

Due to the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we are now permitted to do all types of elective surgery.
So we are endeavouring to keep in close contact with all our patients when we allocate an operation date for them, to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.
​Elective surgery restrictions imposed earlier in the pandemic have been phased out and no longer apply.
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/05/Increase-in-elective-surgery-for-Western-Australians.aspx

Which patients are having surgery right now ?

At the moment, there are no restrictions on surgery in WA. 

I currently have a large number of patients who have been waiting for their surgical procedures. Some of these patients were already booked for an operation when the pandemic started, and had to cancel. These patients will be given as much priority as possible in the coming weeks and months, and we will be liaising with these patients directly, to try to find a suitable time for their operation.

There is also a large group of my patients who had seen me prior to the pandemic, but hadn’t yet been given a date for their operation. We will be also contacting you directly as soon as we have more available operating lists. We hope this won’t be too far off.
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And to the patients who have contacted us during the pandemic, and are waiting for a consultation with me, thank you so much for your patience. 
 
For ALL patients, if you have any queries about this, or if you need more information about your operation, please phone my amazingly supportive office staff on 93816977, and they will be very happy to help you.
 

Q and A

The coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been detected in people before.

The virus was initially known as the ‘Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)’, but it’s now officially named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The disease caused by this virus is called COVID-19.

A coronavirus is a type of virus that commonly infects animals and humans. Some transmit easily from person to person, while others don’t.

There are many different strains of coronavirus. For example, a couple of coronaviruses cause the common cold, but other coronaviruses can cause more serious infections such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS).
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
​Common symptoms of COVID-19 include: (Source – HealthDirect, Australian Government)
How severe is COVID-19?
​The virus can cause a range of symptoms, including pneumonia, and sometimes it may have no symptoms at all.
People at most risk of serious infection include:
  • those with compromised immune systems
  • elderly people
  • people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions (e.g. lung conditions)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have higher rates of chronic illness
  • babies and very young children
(Source – HealthDirect, Australian Government)
Why WAS elective surgery Limited earlier in the pandemiC?
*Dr Blennerhassett is now able to do all surgical procedures as earlier restrictions have been dropped.​
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Limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery earlier in the year helped WA to preserve face masks and other vital personal protective equipment needed to fight COVID-19. WA Health Minister Roger Cook said this was essential to protect health staff from infection and allow preparations in case there is a second wave of COVID-19. 

Restrictions limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery increased hospital capacity and provided the opportunity for specific COVID-19 training for staff. It also allowed the redeployment of staff to key areas and increased overall preparedness in hospitals.

WhAT SURGERY can be done right NOW, DURING THE PANDEMIC?
There are currently no pandemic restrictions or limits on surgery - so all procedures can be performed, including   elective (non-emergency) surgery and cosmetic surgery.  
ARE operating theatres running at full capacity?
Yes, all operating theatres in WA are back to running at 100 per cent capacity.

We are in constant contact with the WA Health Department and the hospitals and will be alerted immediately if there are any changes. Our staff will then keep you informed and updated.
 
How CAN I check the Date of my surgery?
Our Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff are working through the pandemic. They will keep in touch with you, answer all your questions and alert you if there are any changes to operating theatre availability.
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How will Subiaco Plastic Surgery support me ?
Dr Blennerhassett and our Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff will be on hand to support you during the pandemic, answer all your questions, address your concerns and check on your bookings for future surgery.
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Dr Blennerhassett will continue to consult with both current and new patients face-to-face and via phone and cyber consultations – enabling you to stay safe at home if you wish. Please organise by phoning 08 9381 6977
Will Subiaco Plastic Surgery rooms stay open during the pandemic?
Yes, even during a complete lockdown, our Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff will continue to work from home, connected to our office computers and phone line.  Phone them on 08 9381 6977, or email blennerhassett@highway1.com.au ​
How do I organise a phone or cyber consultation with Dr Blennerhassett?
Dr Blennerhassett will continue to offer both current and new patients consultations via phone and cyber consultations – enabling you to stay safe at home, if you so wish. Please organise by phoning 08 9381 6977 or email blennerhassett@highway1.com.au 
How can we all help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia?
To protect others you must: ​
You can call the National Coronavirus Helpline for information and advice about COVID-19. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Keep up with social distancing and stay well, while we get to work to look after WA

​
​ Dr Lewis Blennerhassett