Visa delay for surgeon

Health service finds specialist overseas

A SPECIALIST to perform breast reconstructive surgery at Cairns Hospital has finally been found – but the surgeon will not start work in the Far North until the end of the year.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Clare Douglas has revealed the difficulties the health service has had in recruiting a new surgeon, to replace a full-time plastic and reconstruction specialist who recently resigned.

Women who have undergone mastectomies due to breast cancer have been waiting for reconstructive surgery for as long as seven years.

Figures from CHHHS show there are currently 287 patients on the plastic and reconstructive surgery waiting list.

The lack of a specialist had forced public patients to head south for operations.

In a letter to Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth, Ms Douglas said that the service had recruited a replacement specialist from overseas, as no applications were received from Australian specialists.

“Due to registration and visa requirements for international medical graduates, it is anticipated that it will be towards the end of the year before a specialist is registered and credentialed to practice in Australia,” she said.

“In the interim, the Department of Surgery advertised nationally for a locum specialist to fill this gap in service provision.

“There was one applicant. However, he withdrew earlier this month, citing personal reasons the day before he was due to arrive.”

She said the service was continuing to explore locum opportunities and options, while awaiting the arrival of the overseas doctor.

The health service has committed a reallocation of $4 million over the next three months to clear the long plastic and reconstructive appointment waitlist times.

Mr Knuth said it was sad that so many patients had to focus on fighting for reconstruction when there were other, higher priorities they could be focusing on.

“I know one patient who has been on this list for five years,” he said.

“The recommended wait time for this surgery is one year.”