Electrophysiologist

Would anybody know of an Electrophysiologist in the county of Essex that they would recommend , seems to be few and far between with London as the nearest hub.

I’ve looked at the AFA site but to no avail.

[BobD Volunteer]

I believe Basildon CardioThorasic Centre has a good reputation. I was briefly involved when Essex Heatbeat was set up many years ago. Not sure if they are still going.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob,

Yes the CTC unit is still going and has a very good reputation.

I could not find anyone listed there who referred to themselves as an Electrophysiologist, a couple list ablations as part of their scope but refer to themselves as cardiologists. A small point perhaps but important.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

My EP at Royal Brompton is described as an interventional cardiologist but did my first ablation in 2005. He is one of the best.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, maybe I’m getting to hooked up on their title and not what they have done.

[opal11uk]

Try Basildon Hospital, there is one there but cant remember his name

[Hidden in reply to opal11uk]

Hi,

That’s exactly my problem, I’m sue there is one at Basildon but cannot remember their name.

[opal11uk in reply to Hidden]

Look up Basildon Hospital and look at their cardio team, they should all be listed and that could refresh your memory. Good luck

[Yachtsman]

I had an excellent result with an ablation performed by the team at Basildon led by Dr Stuart Tan.

All the best

Colin

[Hidden in reply to Yachtsman]

Hi Colin,

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

[Mrsvemb]

I know of an EP at Basildon CTC. His name is Stuart Harris. I have met him, but I declined an ablation, so I have no actual experience with him.

The Basildon CTC has a very good reputation and should not be tarred with the same brush as the rest of the hospital which is poor.

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

Hi,

Thank you for that.

I would agree the CTC has a very good reputation, I have attended there on a couple of occasions.

[Sunnyann]

I had an ablation at basildon hospital performed by Dr tan and his brilliant team of nurses . . The care I received there was excellent and continues to be . I booked to see Dr tan privately for the initial consultation and then went back on the NHS for the ablation and waited 5 months for the procedure just before Christmas.

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyann]

Hi,

Thank you for the information that is really useful.

My intent was to have an initial private consultation and discuss the options going forward of either private or NHS.

Did Dr Tan arrange for you to go onto the NHS list ?

[Sunnyann in reply to Hidden]

When I saw him for the initial consultation and he decided I needed an ablation . I'd already had all my tests done privately at the Wellesley hospital in Southend by a cardiologist ? You will need certain tests to confirm af and rule out other problems ....I googled basildon hospital EPs and his name came up so I booked to see him and was seen within a fortnight.

I then asked to be placed back on NHS for the procedure and waited 5 months

The NHS waiting lists are horrendous for all the tests let alone the procedure and if you can afford it it is so worth paying privately and then reverting back to NHS like many people do .

Ann

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyann]

Hi Ann,,

Thank you for the information.

I didn’t realise I would need tests done, can you just elaborate on those if you don’t mind.

[Sunnyann in reply to Hidden]

When I first started experiencing af episodes the cardiologist at the Wellesley/Southend hospital carried out a 3 day heart monitor, a echocardiogram and angiogram to see what was happening with my heart and wether I had a normal heart structurally and no heart disease ...these are standard tests .Have you been diagnosed with af?

Ann

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyann]

Hi Ann,

Yes I was diagnosed with AF in December last year and had an ECG and Echocardiogram followed by a cardioversion in February that proved successful for 8 weeks. I did this all through my health insurance.

I subsequently have had some dizzy spells and 2 blackouts so at the moment it’s unwise for me to drive.

My consultant is based in a hospital 20 miles away so difficult to get there without a car. I want to transfer to a much nearer hospital and the CTC is a short taxi ride away.

My health insurance doesn’t fully cover me at the CTC which is why I didn’t go there in the first place. I will be calling them today to see if I can get an appointment with Dr Tan.

[Sunnyann in reply to Hidden]

Give me 5 mins and I will give you Dr tans secretaries number

[Sunnyann in reply to Hidden]

Dr tan secretary number 07852681901

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyann]

Many thanks Ann, you have been an absolute star.

[Sunnyann in reply to Hidden]

Let me know how you get on ...I know what a worrying time it is Ann

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyann]

Will do

[opal11uk in reply to Sunnyann]

Doctor Tan is my cardiologist and has been so now for almost 20 years, lovely man. I also had an ablation at Basildon Hospital.

[Sunnyann in reply to opal11uk]

Yes ...I got on well with him instantly ...I can't praise the heart Centre at basildon enough...rhe arrithymia nurses are a god send ....they've always been at the end of a phone since my ablation blanking period with advice and help and reassurance and have a hotline straight to Dr tan with any concerns we have as a patient...

[Hidden in reply to opal11uk]

Hi,

Yes, Sunnyann also speaks very highly of Dr Tan. Always good to have personal recommendations.

[Keano99 in reply to Sunnyann]

Hi Sunnyann, how painful was it after the ablation? I only ask as I’m contemplating having one and see the electrophysiologist next week with a view to have it the following week. Regards John

[Sunnyann in reply to Keano99]

Hey John To be honest I hardly had any pain at all ....the first 48 hours I had some pain when breathing deeply but apart from that no pain .

The worst pain was from the tube they put down my throat when I had the GA bit that cleared after a day or so

Ann

[Keano99 in reply to Sunnyann]

Thank you Ann, that’s great to hear…

[Sunnyann in reply to Keano99]

I'm so glad I had my ablation .Feel free to ask anything if it helps

Ann

[Keano99 in reply to Sunnyann]

Thank you Ann, we’re you in persistent AF?

[Sunnyann in reply to Keano99]

I was having daily episodes of AF and was able to do very little without my heart beating all over the place ...and irregular....I'd gone from an active fit women always travelling abroad to being hardly able to function through through normal day

Although it wasn't persistent it certainly ly felt like it to me .

I'm still only 4 months from the ablation things continue to improve and I'm very hopeful for the future now whereas before the ablation I felt like there was no hope

If you are offered an ablation I would jump at the chance

What part of the country do you live in and what hospital are you under ?

Ann

[Keano99 in reply to Sunnyann]

Thank you. I’m down in Kent, I will have mine in London, not sure exactly which hospital, I think St Thomas’s or London Bridge, I’m seeing the professor who will be doing it next week..

[Sunnyann in reply to Keano99]

Are you taking blood thinners and medication ?If it's easier pm me as msgs can get lost in a thread sometimes and.get a bin confusing

Ann

[Keano99 in reply to Sunnyann]

Yes, Apixiban, Ramipril, Bisoprolol, Spirolactane…..

[Sunnyann in reply to Keano99]

Oh ...quite a cocktail. I just wondered if you was on a bloodbthinner as I'm sure you know you can't have the ablation unless you've been on the bloodbthinner for at least a month

I know you said your consultation was this week coming and I hope you get the outcome you want

Ann

[Jajarunner]

I think I heard Basildon cardiology get a mention on here despite its terrible reputation for other sectors.