Refer a patient — reconstructive and skin cancer surgery
Information for referring practitioners
Dr Daniel Williams is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (FRACS). He accepts referrals for skin cancer surgery, breast reconstruction and reconstructive procedures at East Coast Plastic Surgery in Southport.
This page covers reconstructive and medically indicated surgery. For cosmetic surgery referrals, which carry separate requirements under the Medical Board guidelines, contact the rooms for cosmetic referral information. For hand and wrist referrals, see hand, wrist and microsurgery referrals.
Referral at a glance
Email: info@ecplasticsurgery.com.au
Phone: (07) 5591 4808
East Coast Plastic Surgery
Suite 6, Level 5, 123 Nerang Street
Southport QLD 4215
Who to refer
Skin cancer
- Suspected or biopsy-confirmed melanoma
- Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, particularly on the face, ears, nose, eyelids and hands where reconstruction is required
- Lesions requiring flap or graft reconstruction
- Recurrent lesions and incompletely excised lesions requiring wider excision
- Sentinel node biopsy
Reconstructive and trauma
- Soft tissue reconstruction following trauma or excision
- Scar revision where there is functional impairment
- Complex wounds requiring flap or graft coverage
- Microsurgical reconstruction
Where the indication determines the pathway
Some procedures may be reconstructive or cosmetic depending on the clinical indication. Breast reduction, abdominoplasty following significant weight loss and upper eyelid surgery are common examples.
Where there is a functional indication, the procedure may attract a Medicare item number and follows the pathway on this page. Where the indication is appearance alone, the cosmetic surgery requirements apply.
If you are unsure which pathway applies, contact the rooms and we can advise before you write the referral.
What to include in your referral
- Lesion site, size and duration, or the nature of the reconstructive problem
- Histopathology report where a biopsy has been performed
- Imaging and reports where relevant
- Relevant medical history, medications and anticoagulation
- Smoking status and diabetes, where relevant to wound healing
- Previous surgery to the area
- Whether the patient is seeking public or private care
How to refer
By email — info@ecplasticsurgery.com.au
By post — East Coast Plastic Surgery, Suite 6, Level 5, 123 Nerang Street, Southport QLD 4215
By phone — (07) 5591 4808
A referral from a medical practitioner is required for the patient to access a Medicare rebate for their specialist consultation. Standard referral validity periods apply.
What happens after you refer
- The referral is triaged and the patient is contacted to arrange an appointment.
- Dr Williams assesses the patient and discusses the options available, including the option of not proceeding with surgery.
- Where surgery proceeds, an operation report, histopathology result and follow-up plan are provided.
Public and private options
Dr Williams consults privately at East Coast Plastic Surgery in Southport and works publicly through his appointment as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Gold Coast University Hospital, where he is involved in training plastic surgery registrars.
If your patient is uninsured or cost is a consideration, please note this in the referral.
About Dr Williams
Dr Daniel Williams holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — FRACS (Plast). AHPRA registration MED0001663694.
Registration type: specialist registration, surgery — plastic surgery.
Appointments: Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Gold Coast University Hospital; East Coast Plastic Surgery, Southport; Lecturer, Griffith University, more than a decade teaching medical students and supervising surgical trainees.
Memberships: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS).
Sub-specialty training: hand, wrist and microsurgery — Piñal y Asociados (Madrid) and Clínica Cavadas (Valencia), Spain. Aesthetic surgery — Martín del Yerro Cirujanos Plásticos (Madrid), Spain.
Common questions from referrers
Can I refer for an opinion rather than for surgery?
Yes. Assessment may lead to monitoring, non-surgical management or referral elsewhere. Referrals for a diagnostic or second opinion are welcome.
Does the patient need a biopsy before referral?
Not necessarily. Where a biopsy has been performed, please attach the histopathology report.
Send a referral
Use the form below to send the referral securely.