finding a good EP

[Von19]

I have had PAF for just over 2 years now and is worsening and interfering with my quality of life I am due to see the Cardiologist at Barnet hospital on Friday and am going to request an appointment with an EP Can anyone recommended a good EP in this area Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

If you look on AF Association website under patient information there is a list by area of EPs and rhythm specialists. You may have to go into London of course.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Von

If you are near to Barnet then try and get anyone at Harefield, specialist heart hospital, I am told more ablations that any other hospital in the country. I certainly think they are amazing, but I have not had an ablation there.

Be well

Ian

[Von19 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks I was thinking of Harefield but have no experience of it and find it difficult finding facts and figures about ablation carried out there

[PeterWh in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Von

I lived in Finchley / Mill Hill for over 45 years ago until I moved out in to Hertfordshire about 14 years ago so know some things about the Barnet area, though not necessarily up to date. Some of the information is what I have remembered (may not be 100% accurate) is from a couple of people in North London / Barnet who posted on this forum.

I have an idea that an EP does a visiting clinic at Barnet / Royal Free but possibly from Royal Free or A N Other hospital. I know that one person was unhappy with their EP that they saw at Royal Free and wanted a second opinion and view and went into London - I think Barts.

The new Heart Centre Building at Barts is now the biggest (and also most modern) heart Centre in the whole of Europe. Barts "took over" the old London Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals and a couple of other hospitals. I think that the new centre has 10 cath labs and 10 theatres. Barts is much easier for you to travel to.

Professor Schilling heads up the EP team there. I think that there are about 8 plus EPs who do ablations (and possibly some EPs who don't). I an under one of the EPs there and very happy with the treatment (my ablation in Mar 15 was done in the older building as new wasn't fully functional at that point).

With all the hospitals it is very difficult to obtain information. I think that there was a link to a NHS report on the main AFA website but had a quick look and not sure where it is. You could always phone them (they are very helpful).

Professor Schilling and a number of his top team EPs have their private practice at the London AF Centre - londonafcentre.co.uk/

Be a little bit cautious about numbers claimed because there is NO definition of what is success for AF Ablations (and other conditions). Also it is possible that some EPs could shy away form doing more difficult cases or long term cases or people with multiple conditions in order to keep their percentages up (this was found to happen in other medical areas). That distorts things.

Let us all know how you get on.

PS You will need to type in Barts, Bartholomew, Bartholomew's, Bartholomews, etc to pick up different posts.

[Von19 in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you That was really helpful

[PeterWh in reply to Von19]

No problems.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Von - If you type Harefield into the search engine top right of this page you will find some comments regarding it.

Jean

[MisUse]

I am under the Brompton for AF and my EP is very good. Brompton look after my AF, my leaky valve and my poor lungs due to scoliosis. They have very good support and I have complete faith in them. I don't know about Harefield but same group as Brompton so worth checking out. they are specialist heart and lung hospitals, so that's all they do