Dr Cameron Mackay wants you to think differently about plastic surgery

As Clinical Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at RBWH, Dr Cameron Mackay wants people to move away from many of the modern connotations associated with plastic surgery, which are quite different from the vital work that actually goes on in public health.

“Plastics surgeons in public health systems are primarily involved in complex surgery to reconstruct patients following oncologic surgery or trauma. Plastic surgeons mould, reconstruct and restore normal anatomy following misfortune,” Dr Mackay says.

Dr Mackay says his focus as Clinical Director is on maintaining a high standard of patient care delivery while looking at expanding the service in the future.

He and his team are endeavouring to rejuvenate Plastic Surgery Services at the Royal to ensure the department evolves and adapts to demand.

“Like many governance roles, my work is taking place 3 to 5 years in the future, while the department operations continue to take place in the present,” Dr Mackay says.

“I am here to support the department and make sure they have everything they need to care for patients and find fulfilment and purpose in their roles while doing so.”

He says it’s a “privilege” to be able to help individuals while working to improve the system as a whole, acting as both a clinician and a manager.

The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at RBWH performs over 8,000 outpatient encounters and over 3,000 procedures per year, the majority involving malignancy. It has to be able to manage its local elective surgery caseload and remain ready to respond when called upon to receive patients from elsewhere in Queensland.

It has a varied and vital role involving treatment and/or reconstruction for many surgical dilemmas — Plastics may be called upon at any time by other specialties to provide assistance.

‘There is an abundance of work and opportunity’

Dr Mackay’s advice for anyone starting out in healthcare is not to rush things.

“Many young and enthusiastic people with a view to careers in health are in a rush to ‘get there’ even if they don’t know where there is,” he says.

“There is such an abundance of work and opportunity within the healthcare sector that anyone interested and dedicated will find their way to achieving their goals. I would advise to start somewhere you’re interested in and follow the paths of opportunity as they present themselves.”