Community
2 April, 2026
Plastic surgeon comes full circle
NEWLY qualified specialist in plastics and reconstructive surgery, Dr Adam Gascoigne, has returned to South West Healthcare.
Dr Gascoigne, who previously trained at SWH in 2018 as a surgical registrar, has joined the Warrnambool team as a visiting medical officer – further strengthening access to specialist care across the region.
Dr Gascoigne brings extensive training and experience from leading metropolitan hospitals, including the Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Monash Health and The Royal Children’s Hospital.
He completed his specialist training last year and is now contributing to plastic and reconstructive services across South West Healthcare’s network.
In his role, Dr Gascoigne provides surgical services in Warrnambool, as well as undertaking elective procedures in Camperdown and Portland.
His work includes emergency and trauma care, particularly hand injuries, alongside treatment for skin cancer, peripheral nerve conditions and elective hand surgery.
“Most of my time is spent in the operating theatre, supporting both emergency and planned procedures,” Dr Gascoigne said.
“There’s a strong demand for plastic surgery services in regional areas, and being able to provide consistent, hands-on care close to home makes a real difference for patients.”
Dr Gascoigne is working on a rotating schedule, spending one week in four in the southwest region, where he provides on-call services and surgical support.
The remainder of his time is based in Melbourne, where he continues clinical work including a surgical fellowship at The Royal Children’s Hospital, and work at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
Dr Gascoigne said returning to Warrnambool has been a positive experience.
“It’s great to come back to a service that has grown significantly,” he said.
“There’s now a well-established plastic surgery unit with surgeons and trainees, which is a huge step forward for regional healthcare.”
Dr Gascoigne highlighted the importance of building sustainable specialist services outside metropolitan areas, noting that access can often be limited in rural communities.
“In many regional areas, patients may otherwise need to travel to Melbourne for treatment, especially for urgent issues,” he said.
“Being able to deliver a more consistent and responsive service locally is incredibly valuable to the community.”
He also noted the benefits of working in a regional setting, including closer collaboration with colleagues and allowing better continuity of care.
“You tend to work with the same teams regularly, which creates a really mutually supportive environment,” he said.
“There’s also a strong sense of appreciation from the community, which makes the work very rewarding.”
South West Healthcare continues to expand its specialist services, with the addition of training positions and increased surgical capacity aimed at improving access and outcomes for patients across the region.
Dr Gascoigne is also encouraging other medical professionals to consider regional medical practice.
“It’s a rewarding experience and a great change of pace from the city. For anyone considering it, I’d say give it a try,” he said.
