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 on phasing back in elective surgery (hospital operating theatres to run at only 50 per cent capacity)  – prioritising cancer, trauma, arthritis, microsurgery, hands and surgery for children . Other surgery will be considered on a case-by-case priority basis.  
  • We are seeing some patients face-to-face (hand, certain conditions causing pain and cosmetic cases)
  • 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 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 when operating theatres will be back to running at full capacity.   
 
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 most types of elective surgery, but they will be prioritised by the hospitals. Also, hospitals have been instructed by the State Government to perform fewer procedures than they normally do. They have been told to reduce the total number of operations in each hospital by 50% compared with their normal pre-COVID numbers.

These changes were detailed in a statement made by the Premier outlining the next phase for elective surgery increases. The link for the statement is below.
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In summary, this means that although technically we are now permitted to do surgical procedures of a less-urgent nature, it is likely that there will still be difficulties getting some procedures done for a while. The hospitals will be instructing us on how many procedures we can perform at their facility, and in some cases, non-urgent surgery could be cancelled to allow a higher priority procedure to be performed in another theatre. As a result, I am only able to book operations one week in advance at this stage.

I understand how difficult this makes it for my patients, who will, in most cases, require much more time than this to get organised and arrange leave and back up support before their surgery, such as time off work/babysitters etc.
So we are endeavouring to keep in close contact with all our patients when we allocate an operation date for them. Hopefully, with the next phase of elective surgery increases, we will be able to have more flexibility.
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, we are still able to get higher priority procedures done, such as cancers, skin cancers, trauma and urgent reconstructive procedures or procedures for patients with pain. Also, we have been given permission for children to have surgery, so my paediatric patients will start having surgery now.
We will hopefully start performing some of the less urgent procedures now, but it looks like the numbers of these that I am allowed to perform are small at this stage. But we are starting, so that’s a good sign.

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. We have started seeing patients face-to-face in the consulting rooms, and hopefully we will be seeing you soon.
 
For ALL patients, if you have any queries about this, or if you need more information about your operation, please call my awesome 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 has most elective (non-emergency) surgery been Limited?
​Limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery in WA will help to preserve face masks and other vital personal protective equipment needed to fight COVID-19. WA Health Minister Roger Cook says this is essential to protect health staff from infection and allow preparations in case there is a second wave. 

Restrictions limiting elective (non-emergency) surgery will 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.

​WA Health Minister Roger Cook – “I understand reducing elective (non-emergency) surgery will cause distress for some people, however, the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to preserve our PPE (personal protective equipment) and free up capacity in our hospitals."
Could I get my operation done with another surgeon?
​No, this type of elective (non-emergency) surgery and cosmetic surgery has been restricted and limited for the entire of WA under the direction of the State Government.
When will operating theatres be running at full capacity?
We are in constant contact with the WA Health Department and the hospitals and will be alerted immediately that the operating theatres are able to increase capacity further. When this will happen will depend on the impact of social distancing and hygiene restrictions and WA’s ability to fight back against COVID-19.
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Your surgery booking remains ready to activate and our staff will keep you updated.
How will I know when my surgery is back on?
Our Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff are working through the pandemic. They will keep in touch with you, answer all your questions and alert you as soon as the operating theatres open up again.
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We are maintaining a list of patients who will be notified of any change in the situation. If you would like your name added to this list, or want to check to see if your name is on this list, please contact our rooms either by phone or email. ​
How will Subiaco Plastic Surgery support me in the meantime?
Dr Blennerhassett and our Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff will be on hand to support you, answer all your questions 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 your 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

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​ Dr Lewis Blennerhassett