HAND SURGEONS ACROSS THE WORLD MEET IN WALES

• Risks of long-distance travel immediately

• following surgery, for example developing

• a blood clot in the leg or lung, which can be

• potentially life-threatening

• Poor or non-existent access to routine

• post-operative follow-up care, increasing

• the possibility of outcomes such as weight

• regain and nutritional deficiencies in

• bariatric patients, and increasing the risks

• of sub-optimal outcomes and complications

• in plastic surgery patients

• No direct access to expert care if a

• complication occurs: most GPs are not

• trained in the care of patients who have

• had bariatric or plastic surgery

“Having surgery abroad is certainly less expensive than in the UK,” the statement continued, “but standards of healthcare regulation overseas often differ from the UK, which means the quality of surgical care can vary significantly. In the event of a problem, clinical and legal redress is much more difficult, leaving people exposed and unprotected.

“Therefore, both the BAAPS and BOMSS strongly urge caution to anyone considering surgical tourism – what cost is your health? Consult a UK surgeon first.” q

HAND SURGEONS from across the world gathered in Swansea in April for the spring conference of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH). The city was chosen as the venue as the society’s president hails from there. Swansea Bay’s Clinical Director of Plastic Surgery, Dean Boyce, was elected by his peers in January and will serve 12 months in office.

Mr Boyce said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome The British Society for Surgery of the Hand and experts from all around the world: China, Australia, Holland and France.

“Swansea has a long and fascinating history dating from the ninth century, and it was a real pleasure to showcase my home town. I’m particularly glad to welcome Jin Bo, as Nantong is twin city to Swansea. Everyone has commented on what a great venue we have in Swansea.

“Outside of the speeches, lectures and demonstrations it has been a real privilege to show off our outstanding natural sights such as Gower, which they enjoyed very much.”

Professor Steven Hovius from Holland commented: “There’s an extraordinary faculty gathered here in Swansea and we are delighted to be here. This is a lovely venue and we have had an amazing conference.”

BSSH president Dean Boyce is pictured (second left) with, from left to right: Professor Steven Hovius (Holland), Professor Jin Bo Tang (China) and Professor Michael Tonkin (Australia). q