Finding the best surgeons

I had a second hip replacement in Exeter at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Unit of the Royal & Devon & Exeter Hospital as my doctor in the small Dorset town I live in told me to go there as, “They don’t do one-size-fits-all surgery there.” I was operated on by the same surgeon with perfect end results. However, I’m aware that surgeons have to be trained. At a preliminary consultation I once asked a different surgeon how I could be sure the apprentice wasn’t carrying out the op. He answered very snappily,”Well that would be better than the cleaner doing it.” Hmmm.

Thanks Glorianny. Tried the site. Wouldn’t load. Will try later.

Sorry- yes Farzanah these are the ratings by outcomes www.boa.ac.uk/policy-engagement/publication-of-surgeon-outcomes.html

Thank you for the idea of topdoctors ... I am not quite sure whether this is objective or whether doctors pay to be on this.

I know GP can refer to a specific consultant or hospital if I ask - but I need to have a name to give them.

I have requested a specific Consultant on the NHS and out of area, and have managed it. Yes you are right Charleygirl they will automatically put you on any surgeons list but you can request a specific name at that point, but it may take much longer to be seen.

Luckygirl if it turns out it is your hip which is at fault you have to find a surgeon who does little else but revision hips. I would look for a spinal surgeon as well so that you have an idea of his capabilities.

welbeck if one goes to one's GP without doing any research, one's name can be sent to the hospital and a receptionist or whoever will add one's name to a surgeon's list which appears to be the shortest.

Not every GP has a name for referral to each speciality so one has to do one's own research.

This is a private commercial site isn’t it Glorianny? Where are the rankings from and do they include surgeons working in the NHS? Couldn’t see that.

Google it www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/orthopaedic-surgery/hip-replacement/
It tells you where they operate and ranks them.
My DS did it when he needed surgery and found the surgeon he was under was one of the best.

My ex husband had hip replacement in Torquay private hospital in January very pleased with the result and treatment.

i'm not aware of having any choice in the matter.
maybe it depends on area.

I had a hip replacement done in the Nuffield in Harrogate on the NHS - it was like being in a top class hotel! And the hip was good until; someone smashed it!

I can also recommend RJAH at Oswestry. My OH has had both hips replaced there and you should be able to request referral on NHS. PM me if you want surgeon info. My friend recommended him, she had both knees replaced and her OH both hips with same surgeon.

Thanks for all this info. One of the reasons that I might look at Oswestry is that the diagnosis is unclear - I have acute groin pain in the side of my hip replacement (9 years ago) that is getting worse and stops me lifting my right leg. The hip is scanned as structurally sound. I have a discectomy last year for prolapsed disc, so it is possible that the pain might be emanating from there. I need to be somewhere with a variety of orthopaedic specialists so a proper diagnosis can be made.

The private unit sounds a bit naff though!

I had a hip replacement at RJAH in Oswestry last year and the medical care was first rate. Wonderful to be pain free and with good mobility again. However I would advise anyone to avoid their Private Patient package like the plague. My experience included broken blinds with workmen working outside my window, a flooded bathroom, no towel rail or mirror, meals served airline style in plastic boxes and beakers and being told I’d need to go to the cafe to buy coffee! In short - great medically but support services diabolical.

Speaking to anyone you know who has recently had a hip replacement is all you can do, as the BMA does not allow it members to advertise.

Whether or not you can get a referral to the best department depends entirely on the regulations for hospital catchment areas if you are on the NHS. If a private patient, I imagine it depends on the length of the waiting list.

Very useful advice, I might very well require an excellent hip surgeon, in the near future

thank you everyone

As has already been said, it is best to get a surgeon who also works in the NHS.

Sorry - meant to say the best and bravest surgeons take on high-risk patients that other surgeons may decline. Hence their record may look worse. My DH was told no surgeon would operate because the risk of success was low and the risk of death was high. One man -a gang-Ho, Type A type - did agree to operate. DH is still alive six years later.

Use this site
www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient-care/surgical-staff-and-regulation/surgical-outcomes/
Bear in mind though that with certain types of high-risk surgery, the best surgeons may not have the best record, because they decline the riskier patients.

I agree with Whiff, The Royal Orthopedic Hospital Birmingham. I had both hips and knees replaced there. They accept people from all around the country and when I was there, I met people who were having surgery to correct the mistakes of other hospitals. My hips were replaced by Mr Dunlop who is above par and such a lovely man. My first hip replacement was 17 years ago and still going strong. All were on the N.H.S. Good Luck.

Annesixty your GP will almost certainly refer you locally - but, within England at least they can apparently refer you to the surgeon/clinic you want as long as they are appropriate. You do, of course have to research where you think is best for you of course.

For my husband he will look at the two or three most "local" hospitals only - he will happily go wherever the GP suggests. I'm more awkward I suppose and will put up with a lot of travelling to see someone I think will work for me!

I am currently "on the books of consultants in Nottingham, London and Birmingham for different specialities. The London referral was nearly Hull, the Nottingham one might have been Birmingham as it was a "toss up" at the time.

My son has been seen in London, Oswestry, Birmingham and Oxford.

We do not live in these places.

Choose where you want to go and under whose care and say it clearly - I think you will be surprised.

Daisymae

Ask your GP they should be able to point you in the right direction. I had surgery done privately years ago and it turned out to be a bodge job. Paying doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to get a better outcome.

I agree.
That happened to a friend so I shall avoid that hospital if I do have to go privately in the end.
The problem is too that the same doctors operate there as in our local NHS hospital so it is luck of the draw.

Ask your GP they should be able to point you in the right direction. I had surgery done privately years ago and it turned out to be a bodge job. Paying doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to get a better outcome.

When the surgery is done by the NHS, how much choice is given as to which surgeon one can choose?
I have had a knee and a hip replaced but was not given a choice either time.
Whether by good luck or not I don’t know but both were highly successful and life enhancing.

When I had my knees and then hips replaced I was sent a form to comment on my experience of the surgery and surgeon with follow up forms every three months or so. This was to enable collection of data re the implants but also the surgeons themselves. I wish I could remember the name of this study as it would provide info re the longer term outcomes for various surgeons. I'll try to track it down.