S2, E2. Poland Syndrome: Surgeons as supporters: ‘much more than just fixing a problem with a scalpel’

Andrea Jester is the clinical lead at the hand and upper limb service at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital. She qualified in 1994 and started at the prestigious plastic surgical unit at the BG Trauma Clinic in Ludwigshafen, Germany, training in all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery which cemented her desire to work with children. She is instrumental in the effective coordination of the Poland Syndrome Clinics at the hospital.

We spoke about her belief that being a surgeon is as much about support and coordination of care as it is about fixing problems and performing surgical procedures.

Andrea is passionate about supporting patients throughout their whole life and empowering patients to feel open to communicate with their health specialists to allow them to feel more in control of their own care and health.