
Dr Dan Rowe and Dr Kieran Rowe, brothers and plastic surgeons at Greenslopes Private Hospital
New 24 hour helpline for hands
Patients with hand injuries will benefit from a new 24 hour helpline, which is managed by
two plastic surgeons - who are also brothers - from Greenslopes Private Hospital.
Primary care practitioners, including
GPs and Emergency Department staff,
can call the number and speak directly
to a specialist hand surgeon.
Dr Dan Rowe and Dr Kieran Rowe said
the 24 hour helpline gives primary care
practitioners direct access to a treating
surgeon at any time of the day or night.
“The 1300 number is staffed by fully
trained hand surgeons 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. If the on-call surgeon
is unavailable, another surgeon will take
the call automatically,” Dr Dan Rowe
said.
“Direct referral to the treating surgeon
helps to avoid unnecessary delays
caused by patients sitting in the public
system awaiting assessment and
on-referral.”
“This makes it easier for the primary
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care giver, who may also be a nurse
practitioner in remote areas, to refer
their patients for expert care, and
provides the best opportunity for
the patient to get a good outcome
with delays in treatment sometimes
being critical in the final outcome of
treatment.”
In some circumstances the patient can
avoid unnecessary travel to a tertiary
centre, as the injury can be assessed
with digital imaging and the local
practitioner given advice on how to treat
the patient themselves, but only if they
are comfortable doing so.
Some injuries likewise may seem simple
but get better outcomes when treated
with modern surgical and hand therapy
techniques - again improving patients’
outcomes and function, and speeding
up returns to work and recreational
activities.
Dr Kieran Rowe said as plastic
surgeons, they can treat everything
from bony injuries, including loss of
parts (amputation), through to simple
lacerations.
“No injury is too simple or too
complicated – advice is easily given and
an early phone call can often avoid later
complications,” Dr Kieran Rowe said.
Dr Rowe and Dr Rowe are one of only
two sets of plastic surgeon brothers
in Australia. They also have a team of
surgeons to fill the on-call roster for the
service.
To contact the 24-hour helpline, call 13
000 4HANDs (1300 044 263) or visit
www.130004hands.com.au