I hold regular weekly clinics at One Hatfield Hospital and Pinehill Hospital in Hitchin.

Appointments are available by contacting my secretary who can offer and arrange a consultation for you over the phone. We have access to the hospitals’ appointment systems so there is no need to wait in an automated queue for an appointment.

If you are paying for your own treatment, then a referral is not necessary although in general it is preferred. The majority of insurers will require a GP referral before authorising a consultation, investigations or any treatment. Many of my referrals come from physiotherapists and insurers will now accept that mode of referral. I advise you though to check with your private insurer as to whether you require a referral letter.

Generally new consultations for private patients are half an hour slots and follow-up consultations are fifteen minutes which allows ample time for consultations. This is not a hard or fast rule and times may vary according to the complexity of each individual case. Should investigations be necessary they might be organised on the same day or at a later date.

Initial consultations usually last around half and hour. During this time I will ask you about the details of your problem, your symptoms and the impact it is having on your life. I will examine the affected joint and if required send you for an x-ray. I will then discuss with you the most likely cause of your problem and offer potential treatment options.

If appropriate a steroid injection may be given in clinic or arranged under image guidance in the radiology department. Sometimes other investigations such as ultrasound, MRI or CT are needed which will usually be arranged within a week.

Should any surgery be necessary, a convenient time will be organised based on the nature of the operation, the necessary rehabilitation and the recovery time. Operative procedures all have a code that insurers and hospitals use and you are advised to obtain an authorisation number beforehand if using insurance. You can obtain this information by contacting my secretary.

Some operations are done as a day case while others require a stay in hospital. Although insurers and hospitals will place an expected length of stay on any procedure, it is in general better to keep any inpatient time to a minimum. You will be discharged as soon as safe and able.

Painkilling (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory drugs play an important part in your rehabilitation following surgery. They help to control pain and swelling, enabling you to carry out your exercises and increase mobility. You will be provided with a supply of medication to take away after your operation (TTAs).

The number of further consultations you need will depend on the operation you have had and how closely I need to monitor your progress. In general I aim to continue to see you until you have fully recovered from any procedure.

I work closely with a number of excellent physiotherapists and will discuss with you the most suitable. Most physiotherapists are recognised by all the major insurers. You will need to check your policy to see whether or not physiotherapy is included. The number and frequency of sessions required will be individually tailored to, and guided by your progress.

While most people being treated in the private sector will have insurance cover, an increasing number are choosing to fund their own treatment. There is no need for a referral letter for self funding patients. If you would like to obtain an idea of costs, I would be happy to base an estimate on the information you are able to provide. Please contact my secretary directly and she can happily answer any questions regarding self funding and book you in for an initial consultation.

I am recognised as a Specialist Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon by all the major insurance companies, including AXA health, Aviva, BUPA, Cigna, Vitality Health, WPA, etc. Patients seeking a consultation or treatment under their medical insurance policy usually require a referral from their GP or a physiotherapist. It is advisable to contact your insurance company before your first consultation or if any investigations or surgery are planned to confirm that they will cover the costs. You will need to obtain an authorisation code from them and give it to the hospital so private treatment can be carried out.

Whether or not you have private medical insurance you are ultimately responsible for any fees incurred for consultations, investigations and surgery. My fees are usually covered in full by insurers, apart from your policy excess. However, there are many different insurance policy products and some of them may not cover the entire fee. I advise you to check with your insurer before proceeding with any treatment.

I accept all major credit and debit cards as well as online bank transfers (BACS). My invoices clearly state all payment methods and bank account details. Please contact my secretary for any accounts queries.