Where to go for ablation

[Lewis1234]

Hi all. Firstly. thanks to all of you for your time. The info and advice here has been really helpful and it’s always given wit such consideration. I am 54 yr old male, have lone PAF. Currently in hospital being monitored after a really bad PAF episode 2 days ago. Apparently abberant AF. Nothing like my normal fast AF episodes Cardio thinks it was caused by the Flecainide which I have recently started taking as pip. To cut a long story short, I need to elect where to go for an ablation. I am in Cornwall but happy to go anywhere? Was thinking of Prof Shilling at Barts or Mark O’Neill at Guys St. Thomas’s. Or should I consider Exeter and Plymouth?

[BobD Volunteer]

If you are near Exeter both EPs there are very good. Matt ??? was trained by Richard Schilling and Steve Podd is also very good. (Can't remember Matt's last name but will come to me when I stop typing.) I have also met Dave Tomlinson from Derriford but that was probably eleven or twelve years ago and not sure if he is still there.

[Lewis1234 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob will look them up. Would you bother heading to London or stay local? I’ve heard mention of Guy Haywood in Plymouth?

[Hidden in reply to Lewis1234]

It’s all down to logistics......travelling between London and Cornwall can be a balls ache at the best of times, with a bruised and possibly heavily bruised groin even more so! 🥵. No offence meant

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lewis1234]

Well all my treatment has been in London but when I started my AF journey nobody south of Bristol did ablations. They do not like you using public transport after an ablation and most definitely not alone so although going up by train my wife or other family had to drive up to collect me. As Flapjack says this is a ball ache.

[Lewis1234 in reply to BobD]

I will have a think. Thanks for the feedback. And please keep up the good work, there must be a lot of people that are helped by your discussions but never post themselves.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Lewis

Guy Haywood at Derriford did all of my three ablations. The first two didn't help that much, but since then he's designed a new piece of equipment and with him using that as well as the usual, that's used everywhere else, really helped when I had my third one just over two years ago. I've been so much better since then.

Jean

[Buffafly]

The Daily Mail published a list of EPs which were recommended by other EPs and I'm sure there was at least one nearer to you than London. I live in Somerset and was only given a choice by my cardiologist of Bristol or Harefield for my ablation. He had an arrangement with Harefield so I didn't have to travel to outer London for my post ablation check up. I'm wondering if your cardiologist has suggested anyone? You need to consider the equipment available too, as Jeanjeannie says the EP can only be as good as his equipment!

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

Guy Haywood.

[Lewis1234 in reply to Buffafly]

Good points thanks

[Lewis1234 in reply to Lewis1234]

He suggested Shilling at Barts

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lewis1234]

Richard is one of the best and also runs the Private London AF Centre. As I said earlier many good EPs are his former pupils

[Lewis1234 in reply to BobD]

Great to know thanks Bob

[Hidden]

As I understand it, there is no directive that says any procedure on the NHS must be done by a named consultant. In the top rated London teaching hospitals it is possible that EPs in training will be performing ablations under supervision. Experience is a major consideration in my opinion. In your location, I would see travelling time post ablation, and for follow, up as a negative when considering London.

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Lewis1234 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks