Surgical boost for SWH

PLASTICS surgeons at South West Healthcare (SWH) now have access to a brand new, $255,000 operative microscope thanks to the generosity of a local donor.

By Staff Writer

Plastics and reconstructive surgeons at South West Healthcare (SWH) now have access to the latest surgical equipment thanks to the generosity of Warrnambool’s Don McLeod. The quietly spoken man was on hand this week to witness the official unveiling of this $255,000 operative microscope - and enjoyed the chance to try his hands at ‘suturing’ under the watchful eye of the health care’s first ever resident plastics surgeon, Dr Rob Toma (right), SWH chief executive Craig Fraser (left) and SWH community partnerships manager Suzan Morey.

Don McLeod is not one to stand in the spotlight or seek accolades but staff at SWH made special mention of the Warrnambool man’s generosity during an unveiling of the new microscope on Tuesday night.

Speaking during the unveiling, SWH chief executive officer Craig Fraser said while Mr McLeod “didn’t want any fuss” his generosity and sincerity deserved recognition.

“We are so very grateful for this donation which has allowed us to purchase this life-changing piece of medical equipment that will definitely save road, workplace and farm accident trauma patients, as well as skin and breast cancer patients from having to travel to Melbourne and other places to have surgery performed,” Mr Fraser said.

“It’s a massive thing for people to have to travel for treatment and we know the burden that carries.

“In 2012 we raised the $141,000 needed back then to buy our first operative microscope to assist our first-ever resident plastics surgent Dr Rob Toma.

“Since then Rob and his growing team of plastics and reconstructive surgeons have used that microscope to reattach arteries, nerves and veins hundreds of times.”

Thirteen years on, that microscope was rapidly aging and, according to Mr Fraser, was in dire need of replacement in order to continue to meet the ever-growing needs of the region.

“Don (McLeod) and his financial advisor met with our community partnerships manager Suzan Morey and Dr Toma earlier this year – and the rest, as they say, is history,” Mr Fraser said.

“Now we have a state-of-the-art piece of theatre equipment that will significantly help us to alleviate the emotional, logistical and financial burdens of hundreds of local families throughout the next decade.”

According to Dr Toma, the donation and subsequent purchase of the new microscope has been well appreciated by his team of surgeons and other theatre staff.

“We used the scope on Friday and the ease and improvement in technology is substantial,” he said.

“If this new equipment was not available, we weren’t far off not being able to offer our service.

“This equipment gives us up to 35 times magnification and allows us to suture vessels down to about .5mm. It is unbelievable in terms of stability and access to blood flow and we’re very impressed with the technology.

“We have a great team here and are getting great results for patients.”