Plastics Clinic - Royal North Shore Hospital

We provide treatment for:

• Skin cancer resection and reconstruction
• Skin tears
• Breast cancer reconstruction
• Skin grafts
• Reconstructive surgery post accident
• Osteomyelitis
• Adult congenital deformities

• Your referral letter from your GP/non-GP specialist
• Relevant images/scans/blood test results (including CT or MRI scan of affected area)
• Other relevant test results (including biopsy results)
• List of current medications and drug allergies

Your GP or non-GP specialist is always your first step in seeking treatment for any condition. You will be referred to our service if your treating doctor feels that your treatment requires the input of a Plastic surgeon. Once we receive the referral it will be reviewed by a doctor and you will be notified of the outcome and next steps. Please allow at least 4 weeks for this process to be undertaken. We see patients either face to face or via telehealth - your specialist will let you know what the best option is for you.

Please note that phone calls from the hospital will appear as a blocked number.

If you have a scheduled appointment you will receive a reminder text message.

Please allow a full morning or afternoon for your appointment. Some patients require a longer review and delays can occur.

Indications for referral for clinic appointment

If you have concerns about a patient’s ability to afford surgery that would significantly improve their quality of life but does not meet the above criteria, please contact one of our plastic surgeons directly.

Indications for urgent referral to local Emergency Department

• Suspected facial fracture
• Burns
• Acute osteomyelitis

Exclusion criteria

• Benign skin lesions
• Lipoma not affecting function
• Breast reduction other than related to breast cancer reconstruction
• Abdominoplasty
• Epidermoid cyst (sebaceous cyst) with no history of infection
• Cosmetic procedures

Out of NSLHD

• Reason must be stated explicitly 
• Resident of other LHD that does not provide the clinical service
• Continuing care of existing condition already managed by NSLHD
• Demonstrated complexity requiring services of NSLHD
• Compassionate circumstances, e.g. family, proximity, staff

The following information must be included for referral to be accepted:

• Description of condition/lesion
• History of symptoms, including duration, progression and response to any treatments tried
• Relevant pathology and imaging, including histopathology in the case of skin cancers

Providing more information will aid the triage process and make it more likely that your patient will be seen in the most timely manner possible

Please submit referrals using the eReferral system through HealthLink, which can be accessed through most clinical software systems

Alternatively, address letters to Dr Rowan Gillies, or one of the surgeons listed in Other Information (below) 
Fax (02) 9463 1065
Email: nslhd-accreferrals@health.nsw.gov.au

Referrals will be triaged and your patient will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. This process may take between 1-4 weeks. You will be contacted if more information is needed.

Telehealth services are available, please indicate on the referral if you feel this would be suitable for your patient’s appointment.

Your Team

Dr Rowan Gillies – Head of Department, Plastic surgeon

Dr Jeon Cha – Plastic surgeon

Dr Bish Soliman – Plastic surgeon

Dr Alice Chang – Plastic surgeon

Dr Varun Harish – Plastic surgeon