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Wait could be over for hundreds of Northern Ireland Patients

18th September 2007

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              In In the last six months alone, McIndoe’s surgeons have treated 1,610 outpatients at the Ulster Hospital and 445 operations have been carried out with a further 175 booked to be undertaken in the coming weeks at the BMI McIndoe Surgical Centre near Gatwick Airport in East Grinstead.
The leading cosmetic surgery clinic is built on the site of the burns unit founded by Sir Archibald McIndoe whose pioneering work with airmen injured during the Second World War earned him an international reputation.  His focus on surgical excellence and on psychological rehabilitation has carried through to the present day and now patients from Northern Ireland are benefiting from the expertise of the specialist nursing and surgical staff.
David Irvine, Executive Director of BMI McIndoe Surgical Centre explains;
“For many years, people in Northern Ireland have had wait for procedures that could make a huge difference to their lives, due to the lack of surgical provision here.  Since March if this year, we have been able to help many of these people with a whole range of surgical needs from reconstructive surgery to the removal of birthmarks and from breast reductions to scar removal.
“It has been a very busy time for us as twelve of our surgeons have been travelling to Belfast to hold outpatient clinics on a weekly basis and undertaking minor surgery at the Ulster Hospital.  Many patients have also travelled to our state-of-the-art facility in East Grinstead for surgery and we have over 150 more still to treat there.
“It is very important to ensure that those who have to travel for surgery find the experience as stress- free and comfortable as possible, so part of our job is to help organise flights, taxis and hotels for patients and an accompanying relative or friend.  We feel that it is our role to co-ordinate the whole patient journey, from referral to post-operative discharge with nursing staff and occupational therapists employed in Belfast to provide on-going support and care.  We are delighted with the success we have had so far with our Northern Irish patients and the post-treatment response they have given us has been overwhelmingly positive with over 98% saying that they would recommend us to others,” added David.
Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Mr Peter Arnstein who has recently worked on the television show ‘Extreme Makeovers UK’ says that while most Northern Irish patients have been referred for non-cosmetic treatment as a result of this contract, more and more people are actively choosing to have cosmetic surgery.
“There has definitely been an increase in the number of people opting for cosmetic procedures in recent years,” says Mr Arnstein, “ but it isn’t because people are becoming more vain about their looks.  Rather, I believe people are becoming more aware that if you are really struggling with something that can be helped by having surgery, your quality of life can be dramatically improved by having a cosmetic procedure.  With advances in surgery, many operations are more straightforward and also more affordable than they once were and with the quality of care that we offer at BMI McIndoe Surgical Centre, the whole experience can be a very positive one.
“It has been very rewarding for me and the other surgical and nursing staff involved in this initiative to treat patients from Northern Ireland, many of whom have been on a waiting list for a number of years.  When you see how a person’s life can be transformed by surgery it is enormously satisfying,” he added.
The BMI McIndoe Surgical Centre will be hosting four cosmetic surgery open evenings in Northern Ireland in October to give local people thinking of having surgery the chance to find out what may be involved and to meet McIndoe staff. 
The first event will be held at the Stormont Hotel on 8th October, followed by the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on 9th October, the Everglades Hotel in Derry on 10th October and finishing at the Europa Hotel on 11th October.  Presentations begin at 6pm and 8pm and places are limited so those interested are asked to call 0800 917 4922, email info@mcindoesurgical.co.uk or text ‘cosmetic’ to 81581.

 MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  For further information, please contact Sheelagh Wright of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 02890 730880.