Subiaco Plastic Surgery – Surgery and COVID-19 Protection
COVID-19 post Lockdown update, Subiaco Plastic Surgery is taking many steps to protect you and my staff and anaesthetist;
- We are following government prioritisation and restrictions on hospital care and surgery
- We protect those patients seen face-to-face - with social distancing, strict hygiene measures, patient screening and protective screens
- Our appointment times have been restricted and spread out
- 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 08 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
COVID-19 post Lockdown, elective surgery to resume 1/5/21
Call 08 9381 6977 to make your booking
Post COVID-19 Lockdown - only category 1 (urgent/life or limb threatening) or urgent category 2 (eg. cancer treatment) surgery is permitted from 27/4/21-30/4/21. All elective and cosmetic surgery to resume 1/5/21.
SURGERY - We will be contacting ALL of our planned surgical patients this week to inform them as to whether their surgery is going ahead. If you haven't heard from us by the day before your surgery please call or email for clarification.
We apologise for those patients who will unfortunately have their procedures cancelled this week. We understand how this impacts on you and your families. We will endeavour to reschedule your procedure as soon as possible and will be closely liaising with you regarding this. All elective and cosmetic surgery to resume 1/5/21.
CONSULTATION APPOINTMENTS - All our face-to-face appointments will still take place this week. Remember to wear a face mask and ensure strict social distancing and hand hygiene. If you or any of your relatives or friends living with you have been to any of the exposure sites or are awaiting a COVID test result or are feeling unwell pls phone and cancel your appointment.
If your surgery or appointment was delayed or rescheduled, we may have already contacted you to discuss the impact of the lockdown. If you have any questions pls phone on 08 93816977.
*COVID-19 Vaccinations and elective cosmetic surgery
Since it is important to schedule the timing of vaccination and surgery, it is important that you discuss this with your Plastic Surgeon.
The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgeons who practice Cosmetic Surgery in Australia and New Zealand, issued a statement on 24th February advising ASAPS members who are all registered specialist plastic surgeons. The advice issued by ASAPS to its members was based on best practice guidelines issued by the Royal College of Surgeons of the UK and the Mayo Clinic, USA and widely adopted by the NHS of the UK.
GUIDELINES FOR COSMETIC SURGERY AND COVID VACCINATION
- An Elective Cosmetic Surgery procedure is not a contraindication to routine COVID vaccination
- It is recommended that the date of Surgery is separated from the date of vaccination by at least one week
- This separation is helpful to attribute symptoms such as fever or systemic symptoms to either the surgical procedure or vaccination
- If an individual is acutely unwell following elective Plastic Surgery, the COVID vaccination should be delayed till the patient recovers fully
- If an individual is acutely unwell following the COVID vaccination, elective Plastic Surgery should be delayed till the patient recovers fully
Which patients are having surgery right now ?
Post Lockdown, elective and cosmetic surgery has been paused until 1/5/21 when operating theatres are expected again to be working at 100 per cent capacity. Only category 1 (urgent/life or limb threatening) or urgent category 2 (eg. cancer treatment) surgery is permitted from 27/4/21-30/4/21.
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.
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 08 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).
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:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms, such as coughing or sneezing
- difficulty breathing, which may develop into pneumonia
- sore throat
- fatigue
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:
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
Why is elective surgery Limited during lockdown?
Limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery helps 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 another wave of COVID-19.
Restrictions limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery increase hospital capacity and provide the opportunity for specific COVID-19 training for staff. It also allows the redeployment of staff to key areas and increases overall preparedness in hospitals.
Limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery helps 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 another wave of COVID-19.
Restrictions limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery increase hospital capacity and provide the opportunity for specific COVID-19 training for staff. It also allows the redeployment of staff to key areas and increases overall preparedness in hospitals.
WhAT SURGERY can be done right NOW, DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Post COVID-19 Lockdown update - only category 1 (urgent/life or limb threatening) or urgent category 2 (eg. cancer treatment) surgery is permitted from 27/4/21-30/4/21. Elective (non-emergency) surgery and cosmetic surgery will resume 1/5/21.
ARE operating theatres running at full capacity?
Full capacity will resume 1/5/21.
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.
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.
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.
During Lockdown, Dr Blennerhassett will consult with only a limited number of patients face-to-face. Phone and cyber consultations will be offered to all other patients – enabling you to stay safe at home. Please organise by phoning 08 9381 6977
During Lockdown, Dr Blennerhassett will consult with only a limited number of patients face-to-face. Phone and cyber consultations will be offered to all other patients – enabling you to stay safe at home. 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.
- practise good hand hygiene, and when outside your house try not to touch your face
- practise social distancing
- follow the limits for public gatherings
- understand how to self-isolate if you need to
- get tested if you think you have been exposed, or if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms
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
