New Zealand’ Plastic Surgery Clinic

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1943, Page 5

New Zealand’ Plastic Surgery Clinic

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day Soldiers returning to New Zealand from overseas will be assured the most modern methods of treatment when the Dominion’s, first plastic surgergy clinic opens at Christchurch next month. It will be run as a military hospital by a staff of specialists under Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Brownlee, who has been studying in England with Sir Harold Gillies, one of the world’s foremost plastic surgeons. Setting Foundation

With each of the New Zealand hospitals in the Middle East there is a junior plastic surgeon, whose job it is to see that the preparatory treatment soldiers received there is proper to the treatment they will subsequently receive,. in Christchurch.

All hospital ships are met by Colonel Brownlee, who makes arrangements on the spot for men to come to the clinic. Special arrangements have been made to fly to Christchurch service cases injured in New Zealand and requiring the services of a plastic surgeon. Treatment of Burns With mechanisation in the present war has come widespread injury to men through being burned in tanks or aircraft. The clinic will be specially suited to the treatment of these men, and its equipment includes a saline bath for cleaning and treating burns. This is the only one of its kind in New Zealand or Australia.

Average treatment occupies twelve months, but men are generally able to return home for some weeks between operations.

Dominion-wide Scheme

Arrangements are being made for men from all parts of the Dominion to attend, all materials and equipment being provided by the army, and the hospital board has given a site _at Bui-wood Hospital,' and will provide food, lighting, heat, beds and bedding.