Burns surgeon to stay

Cosmetic surgery waiting lists set to grow

Northern Ireland's only specialist burns surgeon is to stay in the province, health minister Bairbre de Brun has announced.

Kalid Khan, who has been the consultant plastic surgeon at the regional burns unit in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, was to take up a post in England early next year.

Dr Khan, who was involved in treating many of those injured in 1998 Omagh bombing, was due to leave his current position on Friday.

His departure would have meant the end of non-urgent plastic surgery, such as breast reconstruction, in Northern Ireland. At present this is carried out at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

Dr Joe Hendron: Delighted that Dr Khan is to stay

The news was welcomed by the chairman of the Assembly's health committee, Dr Joe Hendron, who said he was delighted that the situation had been resolved.

"Dr Khan provides a wide service to the people of Northern Ireland from those victims of the Omagh bombing to ladies that have had breast cancer reconstruction."

The burns unit has treated people with appalling injuries such as those wounded in the Troubles as well as injuries incurred as a result of road traffic and industrial accidents.

Waiting lists for plastic surgery in the province are already very long, with a minimum wait of two years for an elective operation.

Malachy Keyes, whose daughter Donna Marie McGillion was badly burned in the Omagh bombing, led a deputation to the health minister when the burns specialist announced his resignation last month.

Mr Keyes said he was delighted that Dr Khan has withdrawn his resignation.