Plastic surgery is a regonal sub-specialty service based at University Hospital of North Durham and serves a population of 1.6 million people in the Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland,  South Tyneside and Darlington areas.

The greatest percentage of the plastics work is emergency and cancer related.

The conditions treated are many and include: removal of skin and soft tissue, tumours repair and reconstruction of all soft tissue trauma including nerve tendon and vessel injury, breast reconstruction following mastectomy, repair of complex hand injuries & correction of congenital abnormalities

Emergency and planned inpatient operations are carried out at University Hospital North Durham alongside outpatient clinics in Durham, Darlington,  Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

There are currently six consultant plastic surgeons in post supported by junior doctors and a clinical assistant.

The Directorate also employs a Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist whose role is to co-oridnate the care of skin cancer patients who require plastic surgery intervention. There is a nurse-led dressing clinic at UHND.

Clinics also carried out at Queen Elizabeth Gateshead.

Key Staff Details

• Clinical Service Manager:   Ros Russell
  Telephone:  01325 743839
• Consultant:   Mr Matt Erdmann
• Consultant:   Mr Paul Sugden
• Consultant:   Mr Paolo Longhi
• Consultant:   Mr Thomas Collin
• Consultant:   Mr Philip Rubin
• Consultant:   Mr Sam Rao
• Specialist Nurse:   Ann Irwin

Service Delivery

• Bishop Auckland Hospital
• Darlington Memorial Hospital
• Shotley Bridge Community Hospital
• South Tyneside District Hospital
• Sunderland Royal Hospital