Mr Richard Matthews, whose father was also a distinguished Plastic Surgeon, studied Arts at school before being drawn to Medicine and graduating from St Thomas' Hospital, London, in 1972. After a thorough training in General Surgery and allied specialties, he learnt the art and craft of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery in 5 Regional Centres for Burns and Plastic Surgery in the UK, including 2 years as Blond McIndoe Research Fellow at The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, where his early publications addressed the use of amniotic membranes for wound healing and the management of burns in pregnancy.

Immediately after a study tour of Scandinavian Plastic Surgical Units as European Travelling Scholar of The British Association of Plastic Surgeons (now BAPRAS), he took up the challenge of transforming the NHS Plastic Surgery Unit for Coventry and Warwickshire (catchment approximately 1 million people) into a modern vibrant, expanded service following his appointment as Consultant in 1986.

Mr Matthews introduced and promoted all the latest reconstructive techniques and drove a major expansion of the Unit at both Consultant and Junior level during his Directorship of the Unit from 1996 - 2006 which culminated in the transfer of the Unit from the George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, to the new University Hospital for Coventry & Warwickshire in the summer of 2006. He is past Regional Specialty Advisor and Chair of the West Midlands Regional Specialty Advisory Committee in Burns and Plastic Surgery and remains Chair of the Arden Cancer Network Site Specific Group for Skin Cancer covering Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

From 1986, Mr Matthews has advised and treated large numbers of people seeking cosmetic surgery through his Private Practice, building a reputation for excellence based on personal availability, attention to detail, sensitivity and favourable outcomes. He places particular emphasis on good communication as a foundation for mutual trust. His expertise encompasses facelifting, blepharoplasty (eyelids), rhinoplasty (noses) oto/pinnaplasty (prominent ears), breast augmentation, reduction and uplift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck - major and minor), trunk reduction, arm reduction and thigh lifting as well as liposuction. He performs scar revision and removes moles, cysts and blemishes: some blemishes are treated by laser. He also carries out chemical peels (Obaji) and does some work with injectables. Having recently reduced his NHS commitment, he is now able to provide even more time to his private cosmetic patients, as well as to patients with skin cancer and certain hand conditions (e.g. Dupuytren's contracture), seeking his care on a private basis.

Mr Matthews has served as a Council Member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and was Chair of its Education and Research Subcommittee for a two year term.

Professional Memberships

General Medical Council (GMC)
Medical Protection Society (MPS)
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
British Medical Association (BMA)
British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS - formerly BAPS)
British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS)
British Burn Association (BBA)
British Society of Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)
Rugby & District Medical Society
UK Register of Expert Witnesses