How to find a good surgeon

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I have had a recommendation to a hospital.  It is a private hospital, but will take NHS patients.  I have no idea how to access the right surgeon there, and as I had a really bad experience in San Francisco, with surgery that was badly carried, and had to be corrected, I am naturally a little concerned about finding the right person.  The additional worry is that as this is a private hospital, as a NHS patient, I may find myself with someone who is not experienced in this type of surgery, and will botch the surgery,  

This is exact;y the situation that I found myelf in san Francisco:  surgery performed as an insurance patient, on my dominant hand.  Surgeon botched up and I was told later, that he was more used to operating on feet!   In other words, I was used a guinea pig!  I would like to avoid this scenario.

2

I found my surgeon by googling the hospital, researching the surgeon and then requesting him via my gp. Which hosp. are you considering? I think it has to be in the county ie derbyshire

Take care

Kate x

3

Hi Susie

I had my op privately as I have BUPA but the same surgeon also does the NHS ops so I would have had him and at probably the same hospital under NHS as our local NHS hospital farms out non emergency surgery to the local Spire Hospital. My hubby had his knee replacement there under NHS with the same surgeon who does private, The only difference is the follow up care privately is much better than NHS. We are in Surrey

4

Hi Kate:

I am in Wiltshire but the GP mentioned hospitals in Somerset.  A local, here in Wiltshsire suggested Bath Circle, which is what I am focusing on.  

I will go o the their site, and take a look at their surgeons, and then presumably researching the surgeon.  Not sure by what means, though.  I suppose feedback is a possibility.  But, do you have any suggestions about research?

Many thanks,

Susie

 

5

Many thanks.  I have to rely on NHS, as I have lived in the US, so have no private coverage, and I know nothing about BUPA.

All the best,

Susie

6

Hi susie

The hospital website had his resumee on it and i googled him as well. Your gp might be able to help as well

X

7

I very much doubt if you would be able to specify a private hospital via the NHS.  I know that sometimes the NHS does use private hospitals to cut down on their waiting lists but they will use the NHS hospitals first as it is cheaper for them.  The vast number of surgeons who operate at private hospitals do this as an addition to their NHS work so you shoud find the same standard of surgeon at both hospitals.

8

Hi Kate:

Right!  I will give that a go.  My only surgery has ever taken place in San Francsico, so not familiar with the UK system.

Very many thanks,

Susie

9

I had thought about that, and gave the hospital a call.  They advertise themselves as being a private hospital that will also take NHS.  My other option would be RUH in Bath.

If they make life difficult for me, I shall to go to RUH, but my understanding is that there is siply a longer wait for surgery at a private hospital.

 

10

I'm in Leeds and I am NHS but I Had both my knee and hip done in The Nuffield which is private.I was referred for my knee but I requested it for  my hip same surgeon did  both he was amazing can't recommend it highly enough .

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11

Huffield too far from me, I'm afraid, but I have heard good things about them.  Did you have both the knee and the hip done at the same time?

Kind regards,

Susie

12

Hi susie,

You can look up the srgeons who work at the hospital on their websit.

Also te NHS has a website which keeps the scores fr every surgeon who operates n England.

It  is just a matter of looking up the ones in your area.

13

My op was on the nhs in a private hospital but because i requested it and not because of overflow. Very quick time from referral to operation ( 6 weeks) both times. And had reassurance that it was my preferred surgeon and same anaesthetist.

Kate x

14

Both Circle Bath and Circle Reading have very good reputations for hips/knees. My surgeon was Tony Andrade at Reading and I am so pleased about the treatment/outcome and would definitely recommend.

15

Hi susie I had my knee done 2 yr ago and my hip 3 week ago x