A new department at RUH
Spring kicked off with the long-awaited opening of a new centre of excellence. After years of hard work and planning, I was delighted when April 1st 2019 saw the opening of the new Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics department (OMFS) at the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) in Bath. 9,900 new patients are seen at the department every year. The new facility includes new equipment, consulting and operating rooms and a reception and waiting area. On hand to cut the ribbon and to address the audience was the Bath, Wales and British Lions rugby legend Jamie Roberts, whom I have treated for facial injury.
The sporting life
It’s surprising what’s involved in cosmetic surgery in Bath. As an experienced international oarsman, I find it very fulfilling to combine my love of sport with my passion for surgery. I treat Bath Rugby players who sustain facial injuries and I have taken on the role of facial trauma surgeon to the Bath Rugby team. I have treated members of the British swimming team too, and my work is recognised by the British swimming medical team. Continuing the sporting theme, and with specific regard to my history in competitive rowing, I have been invited by the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to write a paper on combining elite sports with a career in surgery. Lots of happy memories to report. I hope to provide some useful insights and analysis as well as encouragement for anyone wishing to follow the same path.
A new cosmetic service
Expanding my reach from my cosmetic clinic in Bath, I have recently launched a complete non-surgical facial rejuvenation service at Cosmesis, a doctor-led facility at 49 Whiteladies Road in Bristol. The technique is non-invasive and effective, and the feedback has been excellent. Patients have leftfeedback on social media with numerous positive reviews posted on Instagram.
Exchange of information
July came around before we knew it and the beginning of the month brought a productive visit to the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting, at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. The Meeting was held in conjunction with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and included speakers from North America and Europe who are leaders in their fields. On the world stage, four of my junior doctors presented abstracts on research conducted under my supervision in the field of facial reconstruction.
This year I was also an invited speaker at the Integra meeting in Cheshire, where I spoke on my experience with this dermal regeneration template graft.
What next?
More sharing of information on my area of specialty: I have had a book chapter accepted for publication at Christmas. I was invited to write a chapter on a facial surgery topic, reviewing the most prominent papers on my topic in the world literature, which I expect will be a rewarding and enlightening process.