Richard Wong SheClinical Leader National Burn Centre, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, NZ
Richard Wong She is a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon working at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. New Zealand. He is the Clinical Leader for Burns at the National Burn Centre of New Zealand since it opened in 2006.
Richard completed his Plastic Surgery training in New Zealand before gaining further subspecialty training in burn care at the University of Washington Burn Center based at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He also worked at the Stuart Pegg Adult Burn Centre in Brisbane, Australia. He is the current Chair of the Emergency Management of Severe Burns Course of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association. There have been multiple challenges throughout the history of the New Zealand Burn Service requiring continued change not only to maintain and improve patient care, but also for the continued survival of the service. It faced its greatest challenge recently. |
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A National Perspective on Mass Casualty Response
On 9 December 2019 Whakaari erupted and a year’s worth of referrals into the National Burn Service were made in one day. Although years of planning helped the National Service to prepare for this event, there were many unexpected challenges which needed to be overcome. Whilst proper planning, preparation and practice prevents poor performance, the importance of networking, adaptability and communication will be highlighted. Details of the events will be covered (including outcomes) and important lessons which can be applied to other situations and disasters will be discussed.
On 9 December 2019 Whakaari erupted and a year’s worth of referrals into the National Burn Service were made in one day. Although years of planning helped the National Service to prepare for this event, there were many unexpected challenges which needed to be overcome. Whilst proper planning, preparation and practice prevents poor performance, the importance of networking, adaptability and communication will be highlighted. Details of the events will be covered (including outcomes) and important lessons which can be applied to other situations and disasters will be discussed.
