New surgeons

The West Gippsland Healthcare Group is expanding elective surgery by recruiting three new surgeons.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery will be available locally.

Patients requiring operations can now benefit from not having to travel to the Latrobe Valley or to Melbourne. Ear nose and throat surgery and colorectal and general surgery will also be increased.

Medial Services and emergency medicine director Gary Campain said the hospital was pleased to now offer the local community new surgical procedures, rather than locals having the inconvenience of travelling out of the area.

“We have recruited three new surgeons who are highly credentialed in their respective speciality areas.”

“We have notified GPs throughout West Gippsland that we have new surgeons, so that GPs can refer their patients to specialists locally. Having an additional general surgeon and an additional ENT surgeon will help to reduced wait list times for patients,” he said.

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Raminder Dhillon will consult weekly in Warragul.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Upasna Pratap commences in early 2017. She will consult every fortnight.

General and colorectal surgeon Eric Ee will consult at the specialist consulting suites.