Perth Plastic Surgery News

Consultations with Dr Lewis Blennerhassett

During the pandemic, we have recently been conducting most of our consultations either over the phone or as a videoconference. This has been quite good for certain types of consultations, such as skin cancer reviews, and follow-up reviews of patients. However, many consultations really need to be performed face-to-face, such as certain cosmetic consultations, as well as hand examinations that require a physical examination.

At this time, seeing patients face-to-face for non-urgent conditions, such as many cosmetic conditions, is still not permitted or recommended across the board. However, we will be commencing limited consultations face-to-face for hand examinations as of 14/5/20, as well as some other certain situations, such as a condition where there is pain or disability.

Surgical procedures being performed now due to COVID-19 restriction changes 

​Dr Lewis Blennerhassett is continuing to perform emergency procedures, and some elective procedures at this time.
According to the Government Guidelines, elective surgery can take place if it is Category 1 (Surgery which needs to take place within 30 days to avoid an adverse outcome) or Category 2 (surgery which should take place within 90 days to avoid an adverse outcome).
Some Category 3 surgical procedures are also allowed at this time, such as IVF, procedures for patients under 18 years of age, joint replacements, cataracts and a few others.

From a Plastic Surgery perspective, this means that there has been a slight loosening of the restrictions on which procedures can be performed.
At the moment, as well as continuing with emergency surgery and cancer surgery, we are also starting to perform hand surgical procedures such as Carpal Tunnel Surgery and Dupuytren’s Surgery.