Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Catharine Darcy has returned to deliver high-quality services
to patients in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay region, following a year supporting trauma patients in
the Northern Territory.
Dr Darcy has taken up residency in the medical suites at Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg, where
her brother, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Peter Darcy, also operates privately.
Dr Darcy said her time in Darwin had allowed her to collaborate across various specialty areas to
provide the best quality care and outcomes for patients.
"While I was in Darwin, I was fortunate to be part of a team of plastic surgeons who completed the
state's very first hand replant following a machete injury – a 13-hour-long procedure," Dr Darcy
said.
"I have special interests in skin cancer surgeries, removal of skin excess after weight loss, breast
surgery, scar revision, ear correction and more.
"There is a lot of scope and collaboration in this area, especially when working with head and
neck cancer patients, as this involves a lot of consultation with ENT surgeons, maxillofacial
surgeons, speech therapists and dietitians, as well as medical and radiation oncologists."
Originally from the UK, Dr Darcy said over the past decade most of her family had chosen to call
Queensland home.
"My sister moved here roughly 10 years ago and is now a GP in Brisbane – we would travel over to
visit her on and off over that time," she said.
"My brother Peter moved to Bundaberg about seven years ago now, and all the right opportunities
seemed to arise allowing me to also move here.
"I was offered a position in Hobart where I worked for three years, followed by Cairns, and then I
came to the Mater – working in Brisbane, Springfield and Townsville before settling in Bundaberg.
"My parents visited us regularly, so they've been here for a number of years now too."
With last month being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Darcy is reminding all residents of the
importance of regular breast screenings.
"It's important that everyone completes a self-breast examination once a month if they can: begin
by looking in the mirror for anything noticeable, then raising each arm to identify any drawing in of
the skin, asymmetry, or new features particularly around the nipple areas – lumps in particular.
"In the breast cancer journey, I normally see patients following their full assessment and the breast
surgeon has provided their advice, so we can talk though the best way for their personal
reconstruction."
