St Vincents Private Hospitals

Biography

A/Prof Bruce Johnstone is a Melbourne-based plastic surgeon who is highly skilled in the area of reconstructive surgery. He provides patients with an expert diagnosis and treatment options to achieve optimal outcomes.

Plastic, reconstructive and hand procedures are offered at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, East Melbourne (Victorian Plastic Surgery Unit). Breast reconstructive surgery as well as breast reduction is a major part of his practice frequently collaborating with his wife Dr Katrina Read, oncological breast surgeon.

Bruce completed plastic surgery training in Melbourne in 1989 and followed this up with a further 2 years of subspecialist fellowships in the USA focusing on microsurgery, paediatric plastic surgery, breast reconstruction, hand and upper limb surgery.

Bruce developed the subspecialty of hand surgery at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospitals as well as being an active reconstructive microsurgeon. At the Royal Children’s Hospital, he further developed techniques for salivary control management as well as establishing the Melbourne Paediatric Hand Centre in 1994. He has particularly developed upper limb surgery in cerebral palsy and headed the Obstetric Brachial Plexus Clinic from 2000 until 2019. His role at RCH now focuses on educational and quality activities.