We cater for general plastic surgery conditions in adults. This includes the management of trauma, linked to our regional burns unit, for the acute effects of burns and also the reconstructive element. We are also involved in the management of trauma to the hands, including flexor tendon repair, nerve repair and the fixation of fractured bones in the fingers and distal part of the wrist. In addition, we manage soft tissue trauma such as dog bites or lacerations and are involved in the management of complex lower limb injuries in conjunction with the orthopaedic department.

We are also involved in the management of some congenital lesions such as tubular breasts, breast asymmetry. In the head and neck, we are involved to some degree in the management of skin cancers around the face, although the main intra-oral carcinoma is treated in Oxford.

Burn service

The Burns service is designated as a Burns Unit, forming part of the London and South East Burns Network; working to ensure patients who experience varying severity of burns are admitted to the most appropriate care setting. The service offers a robust multi-disciplinary team centred approach for its patients, including dedicated input from psychology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in conjunction with experienced nurses and clinicians.

We cater for adult burns (up to 40% of total body surface area) in a dedicated burns unit and paediatric burns (up to 20% of total body surface area) on the paediatric ward.

Skin cancer service

The skin cancer department forms part of the regional skin cancer multi-disciplinary team, in order to provide an effective cancer treatment service for excisions and utilising treatments such as sentinel node biopsies.

We are involved in the management of skin cancer including BCC, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

The clinical lead for skin cancer is Mr Peter Budny, although all consultants are involved in the care of the more common forms of skin cancer.

Breast reconstructive service

Management of breast reconstruction post-mastectomy, complete or partial mastectomy for cancer is a significant part of our work, including DIEP flaps, latissimus dorsi and expander based reconstructions.

The lead is Mr Michael Tyler and is performed mainly by Mr Tyler and Mr Sudip Ghosh.

Hand surgery

Hand surgery service provides acute hand trauma service for flexor tendon injuries, nerve injuries, bony injuries to the hands. On the elective side, all the common nerve compression, Dupuytren’s, together with specialists clinics in congenital hand surgery, hand surgery for spinal injury patients and patients with rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthroses.

The department also works closely with the National Spinal Injuries Centre for the combined management of tetraplegic hand injuries and pressure sores. As well as supporting the Orthopaedic and General Surgery SDUs with regard to the management of complex wounds.

Hand surgery is provided by Mr Tony Heywood and Mr Prasant Govilkar.