Plastic Surgery is about treating a wide range of patients and conditions, often as part of a multidisciplinary team. The work is varied, interesting and collegial.
The RMOs rotating through plastic surgery gain both generally useful experience (such as wound care and acute hand injuries) for primary care or other surgical specialties as well as specialty-specific experience for those who may be interested in a career in plastic surgery. Many of our trainees have been junior RMOs with the service.
There are 3 consultant teams. Of these teams, two have 4 consultants each and the third team has 3 consultants.
House surgeons are based on Ward 20 and 21 (Paediatrics) caring for both acute and elective patients. The elective patients are mainly receiving cancer reconstruction (skin, breast, head and neck) but also includes congenital reconstruction of hand and head and neck anomalies. The acute patients are mainly hand injuries, facial injuries, acute wounds and burns.
They also attend outpatients (which is adjacent to the ward) for both consultant clinics and patient reviews. Skin cancer surgery is based at Burwood Hospital and many house surgeons and all registrars are able to attend and gain experience in local anaesthetic skin cancer surgery. House surgeons are welcome to attend consultant general anaesthetic lists at both Christchurch and Burwood Hospital
We have a CME programme that includes all medical staff involvement on alternate Monday mornings. In addition, registrar teaching is scheduled for Monday lunchtimes, Tuesday before work and Wednesday before work. For information about training in plastic surgery, see www.surgeons.org
The department is involved with the undergraduate teaching programme of University of Otago, Christchurch. Most registrars are involved in clinical research projects.
Interested candidates should contact the Resident Doctors’ Support Team.
