Recommendation for Private hospital / electrophysiologist (Midlands)

[Towne]

Can anyone recommend a good Midland based Electrophysiologist/s & private hospital/s that have an excellent track record of performing complex Ablation for Atrial fibrillation? (& maybe NHS with shorter waiting list?)

I'm on the waiting list for an NHS procedure (New Cross Hospital) with absolutely no idea as to when (informally told up to 10months + ) so am considering private as I'm worried that if its left too long my paroxysmal AF will turn persistent and reduce the chance of ablation success.

[mhoam]

Hi Towne, nice bike, I bet that gets the adrenalin going

I have seen Prof Faizal Osman for a private consultation at the Meriden hospital next to UHCW, Coventry. He was really thorough and clear.

He recommended cryoablation, and we talked about the NHS waiting list. I asked about the private option, he estimated about £15K to £17K with a 50% chance of success after 12 months, a bit lower than normal as I'm in persistent AF not PAF now

I chose to wait until the New Year, but if you have insurance then it would be quicker to go private.

Good Luck

RonF

[Towne in reply to mhoam]

Thanks Ron much appreciated (love the KTM but on hold for the time being due to effects of beta blocker!) He’s somebody I’m looking at and thanks confirming my thoughtsI’m also considering a couple of others incl

Dr Riyaz Somani at Glenfield +private.

Regards Tony

[Ducky2003 in reply to mhoam]

Nice chap, Prof Osman and held in high regard.

[Singwell]

Dr Mauro Lencioni who's at QEH BIRMINGHAM. also in private practice at The Priory Hospital. You can find him on the internet. I thought he was very good, straightforward a nd typically does 200 ablations a year. He'll answer all your questions too.

[Towne in reply to Singwell]

Thank you Singwell I will have a good lookregards Tony

[MarkS]

Hi Towne, as your requirements are complex, should you consider London where the top EPs are? It would only be 1.5-2 hours. I had my ablation in London with Prof Schilling and was very glad I made the effort (with a similar travel time to you).

[Towne in reply to MarkS]

thanks Mark, I hadn’t really considered London due to distance and possibly higher costs? Could I ask what what your ablation cost?

[MarkS in reply to Towne]

Hi Towne, it cost about £19,000 but that was 10 years ago and was paid by BUPA anyway. It was a complex ablation involving both cryo and RF with other areas besides the PVs (such as the ligament of Marshall) requiring ablation. My decision was spurred on as I was in AF about 80% of the time and would most probably have turned persistent in a short while. From the sound of it, you also need someone who is expert in complex ablations. You can find out the EP's interests on the BUPA website (under find a healthcare professional at the top).

[Sheepbreeder]

The Birmingham Heart Rhythm Group. Google them to find out more about them, their team and and their legacy. Dr Mike Griffith and Dr Mauro Lencioni have kept me upright and going well for almost 20 years.

[Towne in reply to Sheepbreeder]

Thanks sheep breeder - I’ve heard of Mauro - and will have a look

[Ecki]

Hi, I recommend Professor Ng at the Glenfield hospital in Leicester. I had my ablation done privately by him but its done in Glenfield which is an NHS hospital and I found this reassuring. He's very friendly and approachable but more importantly very experienced. He does about 200 ablation each year and has done for about 20 years.

[Best2 in reply to Ecki]

Hi Ecki , I have had a private consultation with professor ng at spire Leicester, as I have a high burden of ectopic beats, he has recommended ablation but I’m undecided about it as I’m really nervous ! Giving meds three months to see if they reduced ectopics then going back to see him in November ! Thankyou for recomendation hope your well !

[Ecki in reply to Best2]

Fine at present thanks. I was terrified about having my ablation, in Jan 2020, been fine since, no AF, apart from one 5h episode when I got covid, but it's all settled down again now. I have no regrets about choosing Prof Ng or about having an ablation.

[Best2 in reply to Ecki]

Thankyou for your reply I guess I’m going to have to be brave and put myself in his hands ! I’m sure it won’t be as bad as I imagine!

[Towne in reply to Ecki]

Thanks Ecki - Glenfield seem quite popular and is mentioned in many posts - so will be sending off an enquiry!

[Karendeena in reply to Towne]

Go for it Towne, Prof Andrè Ng

[Towne in reply to Karendeena]

Thank you Karendeena - This all very encouraging-in process of sending off an enquiry!

[Karendeena in reply to Ecki]

Hi Ecki, I'm under him too and recommend a very experienced and highly thought of EP

[wilsond]

Proffesor Osman at the Meriden hospital Coventry has a good reputation I've seen him privately for consultantaion within days. He told me last time in conversation that he was trained by Proff Ng at Glenfield.Best wishes

[Towne in reply to wilsond]

Thanks Wilsond - on the list to look at!

[Ducky2003]

The EPs at UCHW all have excellent credentials and do private consultations at BMI Meriden and I believe Spire. I am personally under Dr Shamil Yusuf on the NHS, who has been an excellent and caring EP who takes time to explain everything. My actual ablation was done by Dr Pannikar but Professor Osman is held in high esteem too.

[Towne in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you Ducky will be sending off an enquiry!

[Ducky2003 in reply to Towne]

Dr Yusuf was not available on the day of my ablation to perform it(which was, incidentally done in the BMI on the NHS) but rang me 2 days later to see how I was and apologised for not having time on ablation day, to pop his head around my room door before going home. One of the good guys. Best of luck.

[Karendeena]

Hi there Towne, Professor Andre Ng at Glenfield, Leicester (also The Spires private hospital). Remarkable man, I went to him having read an article in the Sunday Times about him and performing the new 'robotic ablation. Not sure of his waiting list but I am thoughly satisfied with him. He has done wonders for me in controlling my paroxysmal afib.

[Towne in reply to Karendeena]

Thanks again!

[adx46]

A bit further south, but I'd highly recommend Dr Edward Duncan at The Spire Bristol (or NHS at the Bristol Heart Institute though I'm not sure of the waiting list there). He did a great job on me, as well as a couple of friends, and has I understand a good track record of complex cases. Good luck...

[Towne in reply to adx46]

Thanks Adx I’ve had a look and he appears To do many complex procedures at both hospitals ( according to theNicor hospital report )