Dr Andrew Finlayson

Dr Finlayson graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2002 and went on to complete his internship and resident training at Royal Perth Hospital. He then trained in general surgery, completing his basic and advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons at various hospitals throughout Perth and regional Western Australia.

Dr Finlayson followed his general surgery training with a three year fellowship specialising in colorectal surgery. This started with 12 months at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where he has now return as a consultant surgeon. He then completed the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand post fellowship training program. This program is the only recognised colorectal training program in Australia and one of the best colorectal training programs worldwide. Through this program he trained at Royal Melbourne Hospital where he enhanced his laparoscopic skills and learnt techniques such as sacral nerve stimulation. As one of the major trauma hospitals in Victoria, he also gained valuable experience in the management of severe trauma. He also spent 12 months at North Shore Hospital in Auckland, servicing the largest District Health Board throughout the country. As the regional referral centre for recurrent rectal cancer, he gained valuable exposure to complex pelvic surgery.

On return to Perth he has been appointed as a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with additional public appointments at Osborne Park Hospital. He also joins the team at Perth Colorectal Surgery with private appointments and operating at Hollywood Private Hospital.

Dr Finlayson has interests in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery of the colon and rectum as well as complex pelvic surgery. He is a member of the multidisciplinary cancer teams of both Hollywood and Sir Charles Gairdner hospitals in order to provide a comprehensive approach to cancer care. He also has an interest in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease, perianal disease including fistulas and haemorrhoids, as well as pelvic floor surgery including prolapse repair. Dr Finlayson also offers a comprehensive general surgical service including laparoscopic hernia and gallbladder surgery.

Throughout his medical career, Dr Finlayson has represented his peers at various levels. As a medical student he was heavily involved with the WA Medical Students Society and also coordinated a high school student health promotion program (Dr YES project). He was President of the Royal Perth Hospital Resident Medical Officers' Society and representative on the Postgraduate Medical Education Council of WA and the RPH Clinical Staff Association. Dr Finlayson also represented his fellow trainees on the Board in General Surgery.

He was awarded the status of CTEC Gold Convenor for his contributions to CTEC's training programs in colorectal surgery.