POOLE Hospital is leading the way in the rehabilitation of patients who have had facial reconstruction, but has no plans to carry out controversial full-face transplants.

This week it was revealed how leading British plastic surgeon Peter Butler is poised to carry out the world's first full-face transplant, removing the face of a brain-dead donor and placing it on a patient with severe disfigurement.

Poole Hospital has a world class maxillofacial team at its head and neck cancer clinic, which carries out thousands of facial reconstruction operations every year.

But while it has ruled out carrying out full-face transplants, the hospital satisfies one of the most crucial of 13 criteria the Royal College of Surgeons has agreed before recommending such operations.

The Poole-based head and neck cancer charity About Face is an enhanced befriending service where patients who have gone through reconstructive facial surgery can support those who are about to share the same experience.

And in a report to be published within the next fortnight, the RCS is expected to recommend that it is vital similar long-term psychological support is in place for patients before any face transplant takes place.

The Echo-backed Butterfly Appeal aims to develop this service and raise £250,000 for an About Face centre in town, where patients who have had reconstructive surgery and their families can go for vital one to one support.

Ian Catley, who heads up the appeal, said: "A month ago a lady called to say she had just been diagnosed with cancer of the sinus and was due to have radiography.

"She was keen to speak to someone who had been through the same thing.

"The same day we were able to put her in touch with a patient who had been through the same thing.

"This is what we provide - short-term, medium-term and long-term support for our patients."

A spokesman for Poole Hospital said: "It's very unlikely we would consider face transplant surgery now or in the future.

"Although we have the head and neck cancer service here, the trust is not set up as transplant unit."

The Butterfly Appeal has just crossed the £100,000 milestone thanks to the public's generosity, but it is still £150,000 short.

  • To make a donation telephone 01202 733300 or e-mail: ian@baldeaglecommunications.co.uk