Frequently Asked Questions

No. Most people seeking treatment at a private hospital will have medical insurance cover, but people can choose to "self-fund" their treatment and fixed cost packages are available.

I am recognised by all the major insurance companies as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. There are many different types of health insurance policies available. It is important that you are aware what your policy covers and what it does not.

I am fee assured with all the major health insurance companies.

Even if you are covered by medical insurance my contract is with you and depending on your type of policy, you may be responsible for some fees for outpatient consultations, surgery or follow-ups.

If you are self-funding your treatment then you do not need a GP referral. Most medical insurers will require a referral from your GP before authorising any consultation, investigation or treatment.

You can contact the Fitzwilliam Hospital on 01733 261717 or my secretary Michelle on 07714 625 692.

I am in clinic on Monday evening and all day Thursday at the Fitzwilliam Hospital. My operating list is on Friday.

If your problem is urgent, then I can organise an appointment for you to be seen at a mutually convenient time.

Should an operation be necessary I will go through the procedure with you in detail and give you an information leaflet to read. I will then ask you to sign a Consent form and we will arrange a convenient date for your surgery.

You will be given a procedure code that the insurers and hospital use in order to authorise surgery.

Finally, you will have a health pre-assessment - this will take the form of a health questionnaire and appointment with the pre-assessment clinic or, for more minor procedures, a health questionnaire .

All aspects of patient safety, including thrombosis and prevention of infection, are taken extremely seriously. Blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis/DVT) that can potentially extend or move within the veins (venous thromboembolism/VTE) are a well known risk of lower limb surgery and their prevention has been the focus of a recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) committee. At the Fitzwilliam Hospital there is a formal protocol for the assessment of the risk of VTE and the preventive measures that should be taken. I adhere to this protocol.

Some surgery is performed as a day case - such as knee arthroscopy. ACL reconstruction patients usually stay overnight and joint replacement patients stay a few days.

You will only be discharged when you are deemed to be fit enough and safe when mobilising - this is a decision made between myself, the nurses and physiotherapist looking after you.

You will be discharged home with a waterproof dressing known as "Opsite" which will be splash-proof but not water-proof - it will allow you to shower but not to soak the dressing.

All dressings should be left undisturbed until the wound is healed, which is usually by two weeks.

You will be sent home with some spare dressings just in case you need to change them.

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) are important in your rehabilitation following surgery. They help to control pain and swelling, enabling you to carry out your exercises and increase mobility. You will be provided with a supply of medication to take away after your operation (TTOs).

Physiotherapy is vital for a successful outcome following any lower limb surgery. I am lucky to work with some excellent physiotherapy departments in the area.

The number of sessions you will need will be determined by your progress with treatment.

Some insurers limit the number of physiotherapy sessions they will fund, but a letter from the treating consultant usually suffices should more sessions be needed.

This will depend on the procedure you have had done and the progress you are making. I like to follow up patients until they are fully recovered from the procedure.

During office hours you should contact my secretary or the Fitzwilliam Hospital switchboard and they will contact me directly and I will arrange to see you.

Out of hours you should first contact the ward nurses at the Fitzwilliam Hospital who will then contact me. If I am away on annual leave then there will always be a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon covering me in my absence.