oUR consUltants - London Bridge Hospital

New Consultant List 

TWENTY 

London Bridge Hospital 


name title QUaliFications depaRtment 

Dr Maria Rosario Caballero Consultant in Allergy PhD EEUU Allergy 

Dr Vip Gill Consultant Anaesthetist MBBS FRCA Anaesthetics 

Dr Guy Glover Consultant Anaesthetist MB ChB FRCA DICM Anaesthetics 

Dr Devendra Mahtani Consultant Anaesthetist BSc MB ChB FCARCSI Anaesthetics 

Dr Huw Thomas Consultant Anaesthetist CCT FRCA MBCHIB Anaesthetics 

Dr Stephen Tricklebank Consultant Anaesthetist BMBS BMedSci FRCA EDIC Anaesthetics 

Dr Christian Jansen Consultant Cardiologist Cardiology 

Mr Paul Chatrath Consultant ENT Surgeon MA (Cantab) MBBS MRCP MRCS 

DLO FRCS (orl-hns) MD 

ENT 

Mr Andreas Lesseps Consultant Gynaecologist MBBS FRCS (Eng) MRCOG Gynaecology 

Dr Michael Robson Consultant Nephrologist BA MBBS MRCP PhD Nephrology 

Mr Irfan Ahamad Malik Consultant Neurosurgeon MBBS FRCS FCPS FRCS (SN) MSc Neurosurgery 

Mr Karim Hussain Consultant in Oral BDS MBBS FDSRCS FRCS FRCS Oral Maxillofacial 

Maxillofacial Surgery/ 

Head and Neck Surgery 

MAXFAC FACOMS 

Mr James Ritchie Consultant Orthopaedic BSc (Hons) MNBBS MRCS FRCS Orthopaedics 

Surgeon (Tr&Orth) 

Mr Jonathan Walczak Consultant Orthopaedic MB BS (Lond) BSc FRCS (Eng) Orthopaedics 

Surgeon FRCS (Orth) 

Miss Norma Timoney Consultant Plastic Surgeon MB ChB FDS RCS FRCP (Plast) Plastic Surgery 

Mr Martin Arissol Consultant Podiatrist BSc (Hons) Podiatry Podiatry 

Dr Sanjay Kamath Consultant in Psychiatry MB BS MRCPsych Psychiatry 

Mr Christian Brown Consultant Urologist BSc MBBS MRCS (Eng) MD 

FRCS (Urol) 

Urology 


note: Please see our website or Referrers’ Guide 

for contact details of all Consultants featured in this 

magazine or contact the GP Liaison Department on: 

T: 020 7234 2009 

Health Matters 

Winter 2011 • Issue 9 

INSIDE: The Services New Clinic The Treatment The Innovation 

Cardiac Services • Cardiac Rehabilitation • Diagnostic and Treatment Centre • Men’s and 

Women’s Health • London Lung Cancer Centre • Vascular Ultrasound • FODMAPs 

• Orthopaedic Services • The Core of Lower Back Pain • Chronic Back Pain 

GP Liaison Magazine

Introduction 

TWO 

A message from the CEO 

Welcome to the Winter edition of Health Matters Magazine, our opportunity to present articles from 

our Consultants at London Bridge Hospital and connect with you in terms of the services that we 

offer to support you and your patients. 

The fi rst thing that I would like to mention is the GP education programme which is going from 

strength to strength with strong attendances at GP seminar sessions. Our Saturday events in particular 

have proved immensely popular with over 180 attendees at many events this year. 

The feedback you provide allows us to maintain this high level of interesting topics and to make 

it as relevant to the Primary Care sector as we can. Following your feedback we have expanded our 

range of seminar topics for the coming year to encompass many more interesting subjects. The 

GP Liaison Team is always available to help with any specifi c educational requirements you may have 

and will be happy to hear from you. 

Secondly, London Bridge Hospital is still currently part-way through a major £15 million development 

project; the hospital has gained a new Dialysis Unit as well as two state-of-the-art theatre suites 

and a hybrid lab. This enables our Consultants to perform more complex diagnostic and treatment 

procedures and is a development project that sees the hospital’s bed count rise to over 130, allowing 

us to provide more care to a greater number of patients in one central London location. 

To coincide with the development of London Bridge Hospital, we have also expanded our 

comprehensive Outpatient Care Service with two new sites – City of London Medical Centre and 

Sevenoaks Medical Centre. These new diagnostic and treatment centres allow patients convenient 

access to our Consultants and medical expertise in the Sevenoaks and Tower Hill area. We have 

also been selected as the preferred bidder to run Guy’s Hospital Nuffi eld Health Centre and the 

private unit in the new Guy’s Hospital Cancer Centre. This venture will allow us to develop 

a leading cancer treatment centre and provide expansion space for other specialties at the hospital. 

I wish to thank you very much indeed for your continuing involvement in the hospital, for the 

feedback you provide us and for the opportunity to care for your 

patients. I hope very much that you will continue to visit the hospital, 

attend our events and to regard us as partners in your patients’ care. 

Please continue to feed back to me and to the GP Liaison Team 

wherever you see an opportunity for us to extend our partnership 

with you or indeed to improve what we offer. 

Please enjoy this magazine and thank you as always. 

With kind regards and best wishes. 

Yours sincerely 

John Reay 

Chief Executive Offi cer 

Introduction 

John Reay 

chief executive offi cer 

Features 

GP Liaison Department 

Tel: 020 7234 2009 

Email: gpliaisonlbh@hcahealthcare.co.uk 

p 

4 Cardiac Services 

Leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities at London Bridge Hospital 

6 Cardiac Rehabilitation 

Enabling patients to get back to their normal way of life as quickly as possible 

7 31 Old Broad Street 

Offering patients quick, convenient and high quality healthcare in the heart of the City 

8 Men’s Health 

Offering clinical expertise, rapid assessment and customised care 

10 Women’s Heath 

Providing a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services 

12 London Lung Cancer Centre 

New clinic for patients with suspected or established lung or thoracic cancer 

13 Vascular Ultrasound 

Specialist service now available at Docklands and 31 Old Broad Street 

14 FODMAP 

How the low FODMAP diet can help improve symptoms of functional gut disorders 

15 Orthopaedic Services 

Offering access to leading specialist Orthopaedic Consultants 

16 The Core of Lower Back Pain 

Using rehabilitative Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging (RTUI) 

17 Chronic Back Pain Patients 

The use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of chronic back pain 

18 10 Minutes With… 

Interview with Mr Henry Atkinson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon 

19 GP Liaison Team 

20 New Consultant List 

DISCLAIMER NOTICE 

Any publication included in Health Matters and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily refl ect the views of HCA 

International Limited (including London Bridge Hospital) (‘HCA’) but remain solely those of the author(s). The author(s) 

have used reasonable endeavours in preparing this publication. However, the author(s) make no representation or warranty 

with respect to the accuracy, or completeness of the contents of this publication and specifi cally disclaim any implied 

warranties or fi tness for a particular use. All of the information supplied in this publication is published without warranty, it 

does not constitute legal or any other professional advice and the reader must satisfy themselves to its suitability for use. 

The information contained in this publication is the exclusive property of HCA or is licensed to HCA and is protected by 

copyright and/or other proprietary rights. This information includes but is not limited to the design, layout, look and feel, 

appearance and graphics. Nothing contained in this publication may be reproduced, distributed or edited in any manner 

without the prior written authorisation of HCA. 

Features 

THREE 

Features

Cardiac Services 

FOUR 



Cardiac Services at London Bridge Hospital provides a wide range of diagnostic and 

treatment services. Our Cardiac Services is recognised nationally and internationally for 

its clinical expertise, rapid assessment and customised care. Located at one of the largest 

private hospitals in the UK, it offers leading-edge technology, state-of-the-art facilities and 

extended clinical back-up. 

an integRated 

appRoach 

Our Cardiac Services incorporate 

specialist units, catheter labs and theatres. 

We operate on an integrated teamworkfocused 

basis to deliver a coordinated 

plan for each patient. All clinical services 

are conducted at one London location 

for quick, easy access, reducing multiple 

appointments. 

incReased expeRtise 

• High ratio of registered nurses 

provide 24/7 care 

• Many specialists are associated with 

London’s top teaching hospitals 

• Comprehensive non-invasive 

imaging improves diagnosis 

patients are referred to us for: 

• Central access to all medical services 

• Coordinated cardiac treatment 

programmes 

• High clinical success rates 

• International, customised, quality care 

• Low infection rates 

• Rapid assessment and diagnosis 

caRdiopUlmonaRy 

centRe 

The Cardiopulmonary Centre provides 

a respiratory/cardiac assessment service. 

This carries out ratified, safe testing of 

lung function, cardiopulmonary and 

sleep diagnostics – from consultation 

to treatment. 

All CardioPulmonary Exercise Testing 

(CPET) is performed on the latest Viasys 

Masterscreen CPX system. CPET is 

essential for: 

• Heart failure assessment 

• Pacemaker optimisation 

• Pre-operative assessment 

• Unique diagnosis 


These results are reported on a 

bespoke Cardiopulmonary Centre 

analysis system, which reduces the 

complex analysis procedure to a single 

(or multiple) diagnosis. The unit also 

uses critical power, anaerobic threshold 

and anaerobic power testing to assess 

patient response to exercise intensities. 

RespiRatoRy and 

oncology analysis 

The Cardiopulmonary Centre also works 

with the hospital’s Thoracic Centre to 

carry out advanced lung function 

analysis. These tests, combined with 

CT and radiographic images provide 

detailed analysis of various respiratory 

medical conditions, including lung cancer 

and malignant pleural mesothelioma. 

Patients are directly referred to our 

Lung Cancer Unit for rapid diagnosis, 

advice and treatment. 

imaging seRvices 

We have state-of-the-art diagnostic 

equipment and use only specialist 

radiologists and cardiologists to 

interpret scans and generate reports. 

Patients can expect to receive the 

very latest techniques for the noninvasive 

assessment of the function and 

structure of the cardiovascular system. 

services offered include: 

• Aortic ultrasound 

• Cardiac MRI (stress and rest) 

• Carotid and deep venous/arterial 

scans 

• CT aorta 

• CT coronary angiography – 

provides a non-invasive alternative 

to standard coronary angiography 

• CT coronary calcium scoring 

• Nuclear Medicine myocardial 

perfusion scanning (stress and rest) 

angiogRaphy/catheteR 

laB seRvices 

Conditions such as aneurysm, 

arteriovenous malformation and arterial 

stenosis, as well as tumours and clots, 

can all be diagnosed with angiograms 

performed by our highly skilled team. 

They can also provide related procedures 

as treatment for patients under the care 

of Cardiac Consultants. 

services offered include: 

• AF management including radio 

frequency ablation with Hansen 

RobotTM and cryoablation 

• Cardioversions 

• Coronary angiography 

• Coronary angioplasty 

• Electrophysiological studies 

and ablation 

• Implantable Cardioverter 

Defibrillators (ICD) including 

biventricular 

• Implantable loop recorder 

• Insertion of left atrial appendage 

closure device 

• Pericardial aspiration 

• Permanent pacing (including 

biventricular pacing) 

• Related radiological procedures 

• Structural disease reconstruction 

(TAVI, PFO, ASD closure, mitral 

clipping) 

• Vascular disease (AAA) 

caRdiac sURgeRy 

We have access to a highly skilled team 

of surgical nurses, anaesthetic practitioners 

and perfusionists who facilitate the range 

of surgical procedures that our leading 

surgeons are able to perform, such as: 

• Aortic root surgery 

• Aortic valve sparing root surgery 

• Ascending and arch aortic surgery 

• Cardiac tumour surgery 

• Complex mitral valve repair 

• Coronary artery bypass surgery 

• Endoscopic coronary artery 

bypass grafting 

• Minimal access aortic surgery 

• Renal/cardiac tumour surgery 

• Surgical atrial fibrillation ablation 

• Thoraco-abdominal aortic 

aneurysm repair 

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve 

Implantation (TAVI) 

• Valve replacement surgery – aortic, 

mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary 

Blood management 

seRvices 

A team of clinical perfusion scientists 

utilise the most advanced technology 

available to offer a range of perfusion 

techniques unmatched in the UK 

private sector. 

Blood management strategies 

Ability to reduce bleeding, therefore 

dramatically reducing the need for blood 

transfusions. London Bridge Hospital is 

unique in offering blood management 

to every single patient, not just those 

undergoing complex procedures. 

cardiopulmonary bypass 

excellence 

State-of-the-art equipment minimises 

post-operative complications. 

intraoperative cell salvage 

Allows the collection and processing 

of patients’ blood that may otherwise 

have been lost during surgery, so that 

it can be returned to the patient. 

low post surgery stroke rate 

only private centre in the UK 

to offer platelet mapping 

and multiplate 

Immediately identifies the effectiveness of 

prescribed anti-coagulation medication. 

point-of-care testing 

facilities 

A laboratory in the theatre 

uniquely provides rapid 

assessment of blood-related 

issues as routine for every patient. 

cRitical caRe Unit 

The 15-bed Critical Care Unit 

provides dedicated, continuous 

and specialised care to critically 

ill patients with a variety of medical 

or surgical conditions who require 

complex multi-organ support. The unit 

is staffed by a dynamic and motivated 

multi-disciplinary team, with Consultant 

Intensivists who provide 24-hour cover. 

This allows for comprehensive and 

uninterrupted Consultant care at all times. 

The Consultant Intensivist is supported by 

a Critical Care Resident Medical Officer 

(CCRMO) qualified to Anaesthetic 

Registrar Level equivalent. The CCRMO 

is on-site 24 hours a day. At all times 

there is a qualified Critical Care Nurse 

on duty with Advanced Life Support 

Qualifications. The remainder of the 

multi-disciplinary team comprises 

pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians 

and nurses specialised in the management 

of acute pain. 

clinical nURse 

specialists (cns) 

Working alongside Consultants, Cardiac 

Services has a number of highly specialist 

nurses who provide excellent support to 

patients and their families. 

these include: 

• Arrhythmia CNS 

• Interventional 

Cardiology CNS 

• Rehabilitation CNS 

These specialist nurses provide care 

and a dedicated point of contact from 

pre-admission to post discharge. 

Alongside this, London Bridge Hospital 

has a very high nurse-to-patient ratio, 

providing skilled nursing care to patients 

as they recover in a comfortable and 

attractive ward environment. 

For more information about Cardiac Services, please visit our website at: 

www.londonbridgehospital.com or contact: t: 020 7234 2009 


FIVE 

Cardiac Services

Cardiac Rehabilitation 

SIX 

Cardiac 

Rehabilitation 

at London Bridge Hospital 

As London Bridge Hospital is an internationally-renowned centre of 

cardiac excellence, it is imperative that the surgeries and treatments 

performed by our specialist teams are followed up with an expert 

cardiac rehabilitation service to enable cardiac patients to get back 

to their normal way of life as quickly as possible. 

What is cardiac rehabilitation? 

Cardiac rehabilitation is a prescriptive 

exercise, relaxation and health 

information programme aimed at 

restoring and maintaining an individual’s 

optimal physiological status. Cardiac 

rehabilitation will benefi t any patient 

who has experienced: 

• A heart attack 

• Angioplasty or stent procedure 

• Coronary artery bypass graft 

• Valve surgery 

London Bridge Hospital provides phase 

1 and 2 cardiac rehabilitation to all of its 

cardiac patients. A bespoke programme 

is designed to provide patients with 

education and information on the 

condition of their heart, lifestyle and 

ways in which coronary risk factors 

might be modifi ed. This includes fi nding 

ways of improving functional capacity 

and means of alleviating activity-related 

symptoms, with the ultimate aim of 

increasing patients’ physical fi tness and 

returning to a healthy and active lifestyle. 

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or 

senior cardiac nurse meets with patients 

on admission and prior to discharge to 

plan the rehabilitation process following 

any kind of cardiac event with the end 

goal of an optimal quality of life with an 

improved, healthy heart. 

Those who have undergone cardiac 

surgery and, if appropriate, those who 

For further information regarding the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention services offered by 

London Bridge Hospital, please contact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist: 

t: 020 7407 3100 ext 42078 or ask for beep 071 

Cardiac Rehabilitation 

have been treated with angioplasty or 

stent procedures, will be seen during 

the recovery period as an inpatient by a 

team of health professionals consisting of: 

• Dietitian 

• Pharmacist 

• Physiotherapist 

FoUR phases oF caRdiac 

RehaBilitation 

phase 1 

Occurs on admission prior to cardiac 

surgery, angioplasty and stent or as 

a step change in a patient’s cardiac 

condition, such as: 

• Emergency hospital admission with 

coronary artery disease 

• Heart attack 

• Onset of angina 

Phase 1 involves comprehensive 

medical evaluation, reassurance, risk 

factor assessment and education. 

phase 2 

Initiated in early recovery following a 

cardiac event, procedure or surgery, 

this phase further develops the 

relationship between the Cardiac 

Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist 

and the patient. The patient will be 

provided with British Heart Foundation 

(BHF) literature on lifestyle changes 

and cardiac rehabilitation, which can 

be discussed at length with the CNS, 

who will consult with the patient to 

create a programme tailored to their 

needs. This is a time prior to discharge 

when many patients feel apprehensive 

and anxious, especially following 

surgery; a CNS will maintain regular 

contact with patients to check on 

their progress and answer any queries 

or address any concerns. 

phase 3 

This phase involves an ongoing 

personalised and structured course 

comprising of exercise, education 

and physiological support at an NHS 

hospital near to the patient’s home. 

The CNS will make a referral to a 

local cardiac rehabilitation centre on 

the patient’s behalf. 

phase 4 

Phase 4 is essentially focussed on the 

long-term maintenance of physical 

activity and permanent lifestyle 

changes to minimise future risk of 

further cardiac events. 

Of these, phases 1 and 2 are currently 

provided in-house by London Bridge 

Hospital. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation 

Clinical Nurse Specialist refer 

patients to their local NHS cardiac 

rehabilitation centre and remain a 

point of contact to aid with the 

smooth transition from phase 2 to 

phase 3. 

Healthcare Excellence 

In the Heart 

of the City 

With a complete range of outpatient services located in the heart 

of the City of London, 31 Old Broad Street is the place to refer 

your patients for quick, convenient, high quality healthcare. 

31 Old Broad Street was developed 

with the patient in mind, offering a 

comprehensive range of outpatient 

services in the heart of the City. 

Located in the shadow of the iconic 

Tower 42 and open Monday-Friday 

from 8.00am-8.00pm, the centre is both 

convenient and accessible. 

The centre offers a wide range of 

specialist ‘one-stop’ clinics, diagnostic 

testing and consultations with specialists 

from London’s top teaching hospitals, 

all of whom also consult at London 

Bridge Hospital. 

specialties and clinics 

offered include: 

• Dermatology 

• Gynaecology 

• Hand & Wrist Clinic 

• IVF Clinic 

• Neurology 

• One-Stop Breast Care 

• Phlebotomy 

• Rheumatology 

• Sports & Exercise Medicine 

Facilities at 31 old Broad 

street include: 

• 10 consulting rooms 

• 2 minor procedure treatment rooms 

• 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner 

• Extremity MRI scanner 

• Hand & wrist treatment centre 

• Phelebotomy room 

• Ultrasound, with dedicated reporting 

room staffed by a Consultant during 

operational hours 

• X-ray 

31 Old Broad Street enjoys the added 

benefi ts of being situated just under 

a mile from its parent site – where if 

further intervention is required, patients 

can be referred to the specialist facilities 

at London Bridge Hospital: 

Facilities include: 

• Full medical back-up 

• Integrated approach to patient care 

• Rapid access 

• Specialist nursing teams 

• 24-hour anaesthetic and RMO cover 

• 15 critical care beds staffed by expert 

nursing staff 

31 OBS 

SEVEN 

31 Old Broad Street

Men’s Health 

EIGHT 



At London Bridge Hospital we provide a wide range of diagnostics and treatments 

for men. Our Men’s Health Services are recognised for clinical expertise, rapid 

assessment and customised care. We offer the very best facilities with extensive 

clinical back-up at one of the UK’s largest private hospitals. 

an integRated 

appRoach 

Our Men’s Health Services incorporate 

various specialist units, catheter 

labs and theatres. We operate on an 

integrated basis, working as a team 

to deliver a bespoke care plan for 

each patient. All clinical services are 

conducted at one London location for 

quick, easy access, reducing the need for 

multiple appointments. 

oUR seRvices 

cardiac medicine 

Cardiac Medicine at London Bridge 

Hospital encompasses the full range of 

diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation 

services, provided by the Cardiology, 

Cardiothoracics, Imaging and Theatre 

Teams that make up our internationallyrenowned 

Cardiac Services. 

cardiology 

A team of highly skilled physiologists 

works alongside Consultant 

Cardiologists to provide services 

offering the diagnosis and treatment 

of hypertension, chest pain and 

arrhythmia. Patients usually visit 

the Cardiology Department on an 

outpatient basis. 

Services include: 

• 24-hour/7-day testing, including ECG 

and blood pressure monitoring 

• Cardiac ultrasound and Cardiac MRI 

• Stress echocardiography 

• Follow-up treatments for patients 

with implantable pacemakers, 

defibrillators, biventricular and 

resynchronisation therapy device 


cardiothoracics 

London Bridge Hospital carries out 

many procedures to treat patients with 

a broad range of cardiac and thoracic 

disease; among these is the coronary 

artery bypass. 

Our cardiothoracic surgeons take 

full advantage of our state-of-the-art 

clinical perfusion facilities. A team of 

clinical perfusion scientists utilise the 

most advanced technology available to 

offer a range of perfusion techniques 

– unmatched in the UK private sector 

– in order to support, or temporarily 

replace, the patient’s heart and lung 

function in theatre. 

The highly skilled team is headed by 

Consultants from London’s leading 

teaching hospitals, supported by surgical 

nurses, anaesthetic practitioners and 

perfusionists who help to facilitate 

the wide range of surgical procedures 

performed at London Bridge Hospital. 

specialist post-surgery cardiac 

Rehabilitation programmes 

Coordinated by our Cardiac Rehab 

Clinical Nurse Specialist, rehabilitation 

programmes are key in helping patients 

return to a normal way of life following 

cardiac surgery. 

sleep centre 

London Bridge Hospital has set up a 

dedicated Sleep Centre to provide 

diagnostic observations and subsequent 

treatment for those patients who may 

be suffering from conditions arising 

from lack of sleep. 

oncology 

We offer treatment for the most 

common male cancers: 

• Bladder cancer 

• Lung cancer 

• Prostate cancer 

• Testicular cancer 

However, we also offer full diagnosis, 

treatment and support services for 

those suffering from other cancers. 

Oncologists from London’s leading 

teaching hospitals are supported by 

a multi-disciplinary team including 

specialist dietitians and complementary 

therapists who visit patients within our 

secluded and discreet Chemotherapy 

Day Unit. 

sexual health 

Sexual health is an important function 

for most men. Sexual problems and 

relationship difficulties can significantly 

affect an individual’s self esteem, quality 

of life and happiness. At London Bridge 

Hospital, we offer expert advice, 

consultation and treatment on a large 

array of sexual health conditions, such as: 

• Andropause (male menopause) 

• Erectile difficulties 

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 

sexual counselling 

At London Bridge Hospital, we offer 

dedicated psychosexual counselling 

to address a wide range of sexual and 

relationship issues. 

sports medicine 

Our internationally renowned Sports 

Medicine Team consists of specialist 

sports physicians, orthopaedic surgeons 

and physiotherapists, who work together 

to provide a bespoke, integrated care 

programme for our patients. 

Our expertise in the treatment and 

early rehabilitation of sports injuries 

ensures a prompt return to fitness 

for both recreational and elite sports 

participants. 

We have a purpose-built on-site 

Physiotherapy Department, including: 

• Chartered and HPC-registered 

Physiotherapists 

• Fully-equipped multi-sport 

gymnasium 

• Running and cycling movement 

analysis, using the state-of-the-art 

Dartfish computer software 

• Specialist training in Clinical Pilates 

• VO2 max testing 

Urology 

Urology is a surgical specialty dealing 

with diagnosis and treatments of the 

urinary tract and reproductive organs. 

Within the urology specialty at London 

Bridge Hospital, there is a dedicated 

treatment programme for prostate 

cancer and the skills and facilities 

to carry out laparoscopic (keyhole) 

surgery wherever possible. The full 

range of services available from the 

Urology Team includes the following: 

• Prostate cancer screening, diagnosis 

and treatment 

• Brachytherapy – an innovative 

treatment option for prostate 

cancer 

• Surgical procedures for enlarged 

prostate 

• Management of debilitating bladder 

disorders, including treatment for 

overactive bladder and bladder stones 

• Interventional and 

non-interventional treatment 

for kidney stones 

• Treatment for Urinary Tract 

Infections (UTIs) 

• Vasectomy 

• Reversal of vasectomy 

additional services 

London Bridge Hospital offers a wide 

range of medical, interventional and 

diagnostic services and specialties 

including: 

• Day Surgery Unit including 

endoscopy 

• Dermatology 

• Dietetics including sports nutrition 

• Endocrinology including the diagnosis 

and continuing treatment of Type 1 

and Type 2 diabetes 

• Hepatology including live-related liver 

transplantation 

• Imaging Services including: 

- Bone Densitometry (DEXA) 

- Cardiac MRI 

- CT scanning 

- Interventional radiology 

- MRI 

- Nuclear medicine 

- Ultrasound 

• Neurology including the diagnosis 

and treatment of sleep disorders via 

the Sleep Centre 

• Psychology/Psychiatry 

For more information regarding the Men’s Health Services we offer, please contact the GP Liaison Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2009 or alternatively visit www.londonbridgehospital.com. 


NINE 

Men’s Health

Women’s Health 

TEN 



At London Bridge Hospital, we provide a wide range of diagnostics and treatments for 

women. Our Women’s Health Services are recognised nationally and internationally for 

clinical expertise, rapid assessment and customised care. We offer the very best facilities 

with extensive clinical back-up at one of the UK’s largest private hospitals. 

an integRated 

appRoach 

Our Women’s Health Services operate 

on an integrated basis, working as a 

team to deliver a bespoke care plan for 

each patient. We provide appointments 

at one London location for quick, easy 

access, reducing the need for multiple 

appointments. 


oUR seRvices 

Breast care 

Our Specialist Breast Service draws 

on the expertise of the country’s 

leading breast units. Our team of 

surgeons, oncologists and radiologists 

are responsible for many of the latest 

advances in both female and male 

breast disease and cancer research. 

This dedicated team of professionals 

work solely in the field of breast care 

and deliver a personal and highly 

specialised service. 

We offer diagnosis and treatment for 

the following breast conditions: 

• Benign breast conditions 

• Breast cancer 

• Breast reconstruction 

These services provide rapid access, 

advice, diagnosis and treatment. 

Appointments are available five days 

a week and patients can choose from 

our London Bridge Hospital site or 

31 Old Broad Street, our Diagnostic 

and Treatment Centre in the City. We 

also offer a One-Stop Breast Clinic at 

London Bridge Hospital and 31 Old 

Broad Street providing patients with 

quick diagnosis in one appointment. 

gynaecology 

At London Bridge Hospital we have 

access to leading gynaecological 

specialists. These specialists provide 

treatment for a large array of problems 

such as: 

• Endometriosis 

• Fibroids 

• Infertility 

• Menstrual cycle problems 

• Menopause 

- Onward referral for osteoporosis 

• Ovarian cysts 

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) 

menstrual cycle problems 

Most women have a menstrual cycle 

that’s regular, around 28 days long, and 

they bleed for three to seven days 

each cycle. Some women, however, 

experience problems. The Gynaecology 

Services available at London Bridge 

Hospital can help with the following 

menstrual cycle problems: 

• Bleeding at abnormal times 

• Heavy periods (menorrhagia) 

• Irregular periods 

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) 

• Periods which stop (amenorrhoea) 

menopause 

The menopause is marked by the 

ending of menstruation (when a 

woman’s periods stop). As a result of 

these hormonal changes, many women 

have physical and emotional symptoms 

such as hot flushes, night sweats and 

irritability. 

At London Bridge Hospital, we provide 

consultation and treatment to ease 

menopausal symptoms that are severe 

or distressing. 

oncology 

The Oncology Unit specialises in the 

diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It 

has access to renowned surgeons, 

medical and clinical oncologists and 

interventional radiologists. The unit 

provides comprehensive care for most 

cancer types including haematological 

malignancies. 

London Bridge Hospital has a dedicated 

Oncology Ward and Chemotherapy 

Day Unit which forms part of the 

LOC@LBH for the treatment and 

reassessment of patients undergoing 

systemic anti-cancer treatments. The 

ward nurses are qualified as cancer 

nursing practitioners to ensure that 

systemic anti-cancer treatment is 

administered safely. 

ovarian and cervical cancer 

At London Bridge Hospital, we can 

treat the most common types of 

ovarian and cervical cancer which are: 

ovarian cancer 

• Epithelial ovarian cancer 

• Germ cell tumours 

• Stromal tumours 

cervical cancer 

• Adenocarcinoma 

• Squamous cell carcinoma 

We provide a fully tailored treatment 

programme with access to leading 

Oncology Consultants. Treatments 

for ovarian and cervical cancers 

involve a combination of surgery 

and chemotherapy. 

endometrial (Uterine) cancer 

For more information regarding Women’s Health Services, please contact the GP Liaison Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2009 or alternatively visit www.londonbridgehospital.com. 

Endometrial cancer is the most 

commonly occurring cancer of the 

female reproductive system. At London 

Bridge Hospital, we have the capability 

to diagnose endometrial (uterine) cancer 

and identify what stage the cancer is at. 

London Bridge Hospital also offers a 

wide range of medical, interventional 

and diagnostic services and specialties 

including: 

cardiology 

• High cholesterol level 

(hypercholesterolaemia) 

• Hypertension (high blood pressure) 

• Sleep Centre 

colorectal 

• Bowel cancer screening 

dermatology 

• General dermatology 

endocrinology 

• Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) 

orthopaedics 

• General sports injuries 

• Physiotherapy 

• Musculoskeletal 

• Back/spine disorders/injuries 

sexual health 

• Sexual counselling 

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 

We offer a dedicated service treating STIs. 

sports & exercise medicine 

• General sports injuries 

• Physiotherapy 


ELEVEN 

Women’s Health

London Lung Cancer Centre 

TWELVE 

London Lung 

Cancer Centre 

A new clinic for patients with suspected 

or established lung or thoracic cancer. 

The London Lung Cancer Centre 

was originally developed at London 

Bridge Hospital to offer patients with 

suspected or proven lung cancer – or 

any thoracic cancer – a rapid opinion 

and treatment plan. 

We have exceptional expertise in 

minimally invasive thoracic surgery 

and can offer keyhole surgery when 

other surgeons would offer a standard 

operation through a large incision. The 

benefit is reduced pain and discomfort, 

rapid return to normal activities and 

improved cosmetics. 

We also have a particular expertise 

in managing complex thoracic cases 

such as advanced-stage lung cancer or 

secondary lung cancer – when a cancer 

has spread to the lungs (from a primary 

bowel, renal, breast or skin cancer). 

Lung Cancer Clinic 

We offer all treatment modalities 

including surgery, chemotherapy, 

targeted therapy with new agents 

aimed at blocking key receptors on 

the cancer cells and radiotherapy 

including CyberKnife radiosurgery, 

one of the most accurate and 

effective radiotherapy modality. 

We offer Radiofrequency Ablation 

(RFA), a new treatment modality 

allowing percutaneous treatment 

of lung cancer when patients are 

not fit enough for surgery. 

We have an established reputation 

in the field of malignant pleural 

mesothelioma, a form of pleural 

cancer involving the lining of the 

lung and induced by asbestos 

exposure. Our expertise in surgery, 

chemotherapy, targeted therapy and 

radiotherapy for this condition is 

widely acknowledged both nationally 

and internationally. 

We offer expertise in all fields and 

a combined integrated approach 

minimising delays and improving 

the chances of success. Our expertise 

is based on treating hundreds of 

patients per year and participating 

in ground-breaking research in 

the field. 

We offer rapid consultations and 

appointments for onward treatment. 

Generally, patients can have an 

appointment within 24-48 hours of 

referral at different sites across London: 

London Bridge Hospital, Harley Street 

Clinic in Central London or The Lister 

Hospital in West London. 

For more information regarding the London Lung Cancer Centre, please contact the GP Liaison Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2009 or visit our website www.londonlungcancer.com 

Specialist Vascular 

Ultrasound Service 

Now available at Docklands and 31 Old Broad Street 

A service provided by a small team 

specialising in vascular ultrasound is 

now available to all referrers, including 

GPs and Consultants, at Docklands 

Healthcare and 31 Old Broad Street. 

The service is run by Elaine Young and 

Kate Sommerville who were among the 

first small group of specialists to work 

in the routine application of diagnostic 

vascular ultrasound in the UK and 

jointly they have 40 years’ experience 

in diagnostic vascular ultrasound. Both 

have held the post of President for the 

professional body in the UK (SVT GBI). 

The service, which uses the latest 

advanced Colour Doppler Ultrasound 

technology, provides three half-day 

sessions a week across the two sites 

during working hours. 

The team comprises four clinical 

vascular scientists all of whom hold full 

accreditation with the SVT GBI and have 

extensive specialist experience of at least 

ten years in full-time vascular ultrasound. 

This experience includes running services 

at a number of large NHS teaching 

hospitals including UCH/Middlesex, St 

George’s Hospital and the Royal Free 

Hospital, as well as large private 

hospitals and clinics across London. 

Vascular Ultrasound or Colour Doppler 

Ultrasound (Duplex) is a specialist, 

non-invasive imaging modality, giving 

accurate and detailed images of the 

blood vessels and flow patterns in real 

time. The investigations require minimal 

preparation, will typically take from thirty 

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm 

minutes to an hour, and the results are 

available immediately to be sent to the 

clinician. This allows prompt exclusion or 

confirmation of disease, and therefore 

management of any conditions diagnosed. 

Patient groups regularly requiring these 

specialist investigations include those 

suffering from diabetes, heart disease, 

high cholesterol and high blood pressure. 

patients who may require 

arterial ultrasound 

investigations 

Patients with suspected carotid artery 

disease who present with suspected 

TIA, stroke or who may have risk factors 

and require screening. Below, image 3 

shows a significant carotid stenosis. 

Patients are also referred with a 

suspected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 

(AAA) or screening to exclude an 

AAA (image 1 below). AAA ultrasound 

screening has recently been introduced 

as an NHS national screening programme 

for males of 65 years or over, however 

referrers may wish to exclude this 

condition in other patient groups or 

those at high risk. 

Early detection of both carotid artery 

disease and AAA can be of great benefit 

to the patient in terms of disease 

management and intervention if required. 

Patients may also present with symptoms 

of lower limb arterial disease. These 

include intermittent claudication, 

ischaemia and in extreme cases, 

2. Common femoral vein partial 

thrombosis 

ulceration/gangrene. A lower limb arterial 

ultrasound scan can easily and reliably 

identify narrowing or occlusion in the 

arteries and can provide a map of any 

segments of disease from the aorta to the 

ankles. Fine detail of the particular artery 

affected provides information on the 

aetiology of disease, location, percentage 

narrowing and length of diseased 

segments. Below, image 4 shows a normal 

posterior tibial artery waveform. 

patients who may require 

venous ultrasound 

investigations 

The patient may present with suspected 

acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or 

have a previous history of suspected 

DVT which has resulted in possible 

post-thrombotic syndrome. 

Image 2 shows an acute deep vein 

thrombosis in the femoral vein. 

The patient may also present with 

varicose veins or thread veins, some 

cases may be complex with recurrent 

disease following surgery. A full map 

of all the underlying incompetent veins 

can be given allowing the referrer to 

plan any treatment required. 

The team are also highly experienced in 

assessing renal dialysis patients either 

pre or post fistula, patients with upper 

limb symptoms of thoracic outlet disease/ 

thrombosis, lower limb entrapment 

syndrome, false aneurysms, aortic stents 

and lower limb grafts. 

3. Internal carotid artery stenosis 4. Posterior tibial artery 

For further details on Vascular Ultrasound Screening Services, please visit www.londonbridgehospital.com. 

31 Old Broad Street – Tuesday (pm) & Thursday (am) Docklands Healthcare, Canary Wharf – Monday (am) 

t: 020 7234 3522 t: 020 7516 1999 

Vascular Ultrasound 

THIRTEEN 

Vascular Ultrasound

FODMAPs 

FOURTEEN 

The Low 

FODMAP Diet 

The low FODMAP diet originated in Australia and was developed by a team at Monash 

University in Melbourne following extensive research in 2001. It has now been successfully 

adapted to the UK by researchers at King’s College London and implemented in the private 

sector by the Dietetics Department at London Bridge Hospital. 

FODMAPs can be found in many of 

the foods we eat. FODMAPs is an 

acronym referring to Fermentable, 

oligosaccharides, disaccharides, 

monosaccharides and polyols. 

These short chain carbohydrates (e.g. 

fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, 

polyols, fructose and lactose) can be 

poorly absorbed in some patients’ 

small intestine. Ingestion of FODMAPs 

leads to alterations in fluid content 

and bacterial fermentation in the colon 

triggering functional gut symptoms 

in susceptible individuals. Removing 

FODMAPs from the diet can be a 

highly effective means of improving the 

symptoms of people with functional 

gut disorders such as Irritable Bowel 

Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS 

include abdominal bloating and 

distension, excess wind (flatulence), 

abdominal pain, nausea, changes in 

bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation 

or a combination of both), and other 

gastro-intestinal symptoms. 

To find out more, please contact the Dietetic Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2359 e: info.lbh@hcahealthcare.co.uk 

FODMAP 

What are Fodmaps? 

FODMAPs are found in a 

vast array of the foods we eat. 

FODMAPs is an acronym for: 

Fermentable 

Oligosaccharides (e.g. fructans 

and galactans) 

Disaccharides (e.g. lactose) 

Monosaccharides (e.g. excess 

fructose) 

And 

Polyols (e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, 

maltitol, xylitol and isomalt) 

Where are Fodmaps found? 

A few examples of common food 

sources for each of the Fodmaps 

are listed below. This list is by no means 

exhaustive, the dietitians at London 

Bridge Hospital will be able to provide 

up to date details of the full list of foods 

during a consultation. 

• excess fructose: apples, corn 

syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, 

honey, mango, pear, watermelon. 

• Fructans: artichokes (globe and 

Jerusalem), asparagus, beetroot, 

chicory, dandelion leaves, garlic (in 

large quantities), leek, onion (brown, 

white, Spanish, onion powder), 

raddichio lettuce, rye (in large 

amounts), spring onion (white part 

only), wheat (in large amounts), inulin 

(found naturally in many of 

the foodstuffs listed above, as well 

as in many processed foods as a 

sugar, fat or flour replacement), 

fructo-oligosaccharides. 

• galacto-oligosaccharides 

(gos): chickpeas, legume beans 

(e.g. baked beans, borlotti beans, 

kidney beans), lentils. 

• lactose: milk, condensed and 

evaporated milk custard, dairy 

desserts, ice-cream, margarine, milk 

powder, soft unripened cheeses 

(e.g. ricotta, cottage, cream, 

marscarpone), yoghurt. 

• polyols: apples, apricots, 

avocado, cherries, longon, lychee, 

mushrooms, nectarines, pears, 

plums, prunes, sorbitol (420), 

mannitol (421), xylitol (967), 

maltitol (965) and isomalt (953). 

What can be eaten on a low 

Fodmap diet? 

The low Fodmap diet involves 

many dietary changes that are best 

described to a patient in consultation 

with a dietitian. For expert dietitian 

advice, please contact the Dietetic 

Department. 

The Dietetic Service is available to 

all inpatients and outpatients during 

their treatment. Each member of the 

Dietetic Department is a registered 

dietitian holding current registration 

with the Health Professions Council 

(HPC), member of the British 

Dietetic Association (BDA) and 

registered provider with medical 

insurance companies. 


Orthopaedic 

Services 

At London Bridge Hospital we provide comprehensive 

Orthopaedic diagnosis and treatment with access to leading 

specialist Orthopaedic Consultants. 

These services at London Bridge Hospital provide rapid assessment, 

consultation and treatment of numerous musculoskeletal problems, using 

minimally invasive procedures and the latest imaging techniques. Our 

Consultants develop a tailored treatment plan for each individual patient 

situation. 

Our leading orthopaedic specialists and surgeons carry out a range of 

common and complex treatments, including spinal surgery, arthroscopy, 

total joint replacements, reconstructive surgery and pain management. 

orthopaedic surgery specialties include: 

• Advanced spinal surgery • Back pain 

• Foot and ankle • Hand & Wrist Clinic 

• Hip • Knee surgery 

• Lower limb • Shoulder 

• Spine surgery 

Among the list of specialties, common procedures involve knee surgery and 

surgery to treat severe back pain. Where possible, our orthopaedic surgeons 

use the latest surgical techniques to reduce recovery time. This is especially 

helpful with knee and back surgery, where the area being operated on is 

particularly complex and delicate. 

The Consultants are supported by a team of chartered physiotherapists at 

the hospital who work with orthopaedic patients to develop and maintain 

personal exercise programmes, before and after surgery. 

At London Bridge Hospital, we also provide diagnostic tests, treatments and 

clinical consultations at one of our outpatient centres such as 31 Old Broad 

Street, City of London Medical Centre, Docklands Healthcare and Sevenoaks 

Medical Centre. This provides your patient with quick and convenient access 

to our medical services and Consultants. 

oUR consUltants 

London Bridge Hospital Orthopaedic Services comprises the UK’s leading 

specialists each of whom have developed an expertise in certain areas 

of musculoskeletal conditions. Please refer to the list on the right. 

To find out more about Orthopaedic Services at London Bridge Hospital, 

contact the GP Liaison Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2009 or visit our website www.londonbridgehospital.com. 

oUR consUltants 

Knee 

Mr James Bliss 

FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Knee) 

Mr Peter Earnshaw 

FRCS FRCSC 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Knee) 

Mr Venu Kavarthapu 

MBBS FRCS FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Knee & Hip) 

Mr Dominic Spicer 

FRCS (Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Knee & Hip) 

hip 

Mr David Nunn 

MB BS LRCP MRCS FRCS (Eng, Ed) FRCS (Ed Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Hip & Knee) 

Mr Marc George 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Hip) 

spinal 

Mr Thomas Ember 

MBBS MRCS (Lon&Glas) FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgeon (Spinal) 

Mr Jonathan Lucas 

MBBS FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgeon (Spinal) 

Mr Khai Lam 

BMedSci, BM BS FRCS (Edin) FRCS (Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Advanced Spinal) 

hand & WRist 

Mr Jonathan Compson 

MBBS BSc FRCS FRCS (Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Hand & Wrist) 

Mr Sam Gidwani 

BSc MBBS FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon 

(Hand & Wrist) 

Foot & anKle 

Mr Martin Klinke 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Foot & Ankle) 

Mr Sam Singh 

MA (Cantab) FRCS (Tr&Orth), Fellowship in Foot & Ankle 

Surgery, Harvard 

Consultant Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon 

(Foot & Ankle) 

shoUldeR 

Mr Simon Owen-Johnstone 

MB ChB (Hons) FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Hand & Wrist 

& Shoulder) 

Mr Joydeep Sinha 

BSc (Hons) MBChB FRCS (Tr&Orth) Fellowship in 

Shoulder Surgery Seattle and New York 

Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon 

(Hand & Wrsit & Shoulder) 

Mr Adel Tavakkolizadeh 

MB BS MRCS MSc FRCS (Tr&Orth) 

Consultant Upper Limb & Orthopaedic 

Surgeon (Shoulder & Hand & Wrist) 

Orthopaedic Services 

FIFTEEN 

Orthopaedic Services

Low Back Pain 

SIXTEEN 

The Core of An Innovative Service for 

Chronic Back Pain 

Low Back Pain 

All health professionals know that lower back pain is a prevalent problem 

in modern society and is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems 

seen by GPs and physiotherapists. 

There are various treatment options 

open to physiotherapists for low back 

pain. In the past few years, musculoskeletal 

research has increasingly focused on the 

deep muscles of the trunk, and findings 

suggest that these ‘deep muscles’ are very 

important in providing stability of the 

spine and should be addressed during 

rehabilitation. The studies have shown 

that the deep core muscles become 

dysfunctional in the presence of low back 

pain and that they don’t necessarily 

recover when the pain resolves. This may 

predispose the individual to recurrence 

of symptoms. The research also suggests 

that these muscles, if dysfunctional, can 

be effectively retrained with specific 

stabilisation exercises. 

Physiotherapists are experts in the field of 

exercise rehabilitation and helping patients 

to retrain the deep core muscles is a key 

component of rehabilitation. Activating the 

core muscles correctly can be quite difficult 

and it requires good body awareness. 

Because of this, patients often find it hard 

to understand or to know if they are 

working the right muscles in the right way. 

The London Bridge Hospital Physiotherapy 

Department has recently acquired a 

Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging (RTUI) 

machine specifically for helping patients 

to retrain the deep core muscles. Using 

the RTUI machine to retrain muscle 

function is termed ‘Rehabilitative RTUI’. 

Few physiotherapy clinics are fortunate 

enough to have access to these machines 

for muscle retraining. For the first time, 

London Bridge Hospital physiotherapy 

patients can benefit from the use of 

Low Back Pain 

rehabilitative RTUI. Patients can now view 

the deep core muscles that they are trying 

to activate, gaining valuable visual feedback. 

In addition, the physiotherapist can have 

confidence that the patient is doing the 

exercises correctly. 

With the increasing popularity of 

rehabilitative RTUI, several 

research studies on its use 

have emerged. 

The data suggests that the visual 

feedback provided by RTUI training 

significantly improves the ability of the 

individual to activate the deep trunk 

muscles compared to those who 

trained without it. The results also 

suggest that the training improvement 

is retained at follow-up, more so than in 

those who did not use RTUI for their 

stability training. 

In physiotherapy we often see patients 

who have been doing core strengthening 

exercises or Pilates for a long time, yet 

they attend for low back pain. When 

asked to demonstrate their core exercises, 

often it is performed incorrectly and 

inappropriate muscles are used. With RTUI 

we can now show patients if they were not 

recruiting the deep core muscles as well 

as they had thought, and teach them more 

appropriate strategies. 

Rehabilitative RTUI is a great tool for 

physiotherapists who have been trained 

in its use and emerging research supports 

its effectiveness in aiding core muscle 

rehabilitation. 

To refer your patients for highly 

specialised physiotherapy, please call: 

t: 020 7234 2500 

F: 020 7234 2815 

Ruth Jennings 

Psychologist 

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines 

suggest a combination of physiotherapy and psychological treatment 

(Cognitve Behavioural Therapy (CBT)) as best practice in the treatment of 

chronic lower back pain. It is in keeping with these recommendations that 

London Bridge Hospital Physiotherapy Department launched an innovative 

CBT pilot programme in April of this year. 

To find out more about the Counselling Service or to refer 

a patient, please contact the Physiotherapy Department on: 

t: 020 7234 2500 F: 020 7234 2815 

Ruth Jennings, Psychologist can be contacted directly on: 

ruth.jennings@hcaconsultant.co.uk 

CBT for pain management is based upon 

a cognitive-behavioural model of pain 

(Turk, Meichenbaum & Genest, 1983). 

The basis of this model is the idea that 

pain is an intricate experience that is 

not only influenced by its underlying 

pathophysiology, but also by an 

individual’s cognitions, affect and 

behaviour (Keefe & Gil, 1986). 

The particular therapeutic techniques 

of CBT frequently include keeping a 

diary of important events and associated 

feelings, thoughts and behaviours; probing 

and testing cognitions, assumptions, 

evaluations and beliefs that might be 

unhelpful and/or unrealistic; progressively 

facing activities which may have been 

avoided; and trying out alternative ways 

of behaving and reacting. Relaxation, 

mindfulness and distraction techniques 

are also a very important part of the 

therapeutic process and are particularly 

important for patients managing pain. 

Cognitive behavioural approaches aim 

to improve the way that an individual 

manages and copes with their pain, 

rather than finding a biological solution 

to the existing pathology. The approach 

is very much related to problem solving 

and returning control to the sufferer. 

The six-month pilot programme is 

proving to be a great success and as 

a result all patients at London Bridge 

Hospital experiencing chronic pain 

will have the opportunity to add 

psychological therapy to their treatment. 

Considering the importance of a multidisciplinary 

approach to treatment, this is 

a great step forward for the department. 

The pilot programme identified a 

number of common themes that affected 

patients with chronic lower back pain: 

• Low self-worth 

• Feelings of guilt around prioritising 

their own needs 

• Difficulty in asserting their own needs 

• Putting others’ needs before their own 

• High levels of stress/anxiety and a 

difficulty in managing this 

• Feelings of anger/resentment around 

their pain 

• Loss of independence/old self and 

managing this change 

• A sense of loss of control 

• Not feeling heard 

In the United Kingdom, NICE 

recommends CBT as the treatment of 

choice for a number of mental health 

difficulties, including post-traumatic 

stress disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa, 

anxiety and clinical depression. 

Chronic Back Pain 

SEVENTEEN 

Chronic Back Pain

10 Minutes With... 

interview 

Minutes 

With... 10Consultant 

EIGHTEEN 

1. Why did you decide to study medicine? 

When I was about 10-years-old a friend and I were having a water fight in the 

garden. My friend accidently fell and lacerated his forehead; there was blood 

everywhere! In a panic my mother ran across the road to fetch our neighbour 

who was a neurosurgeon. He came over and stitched the scalp wound in the 

garden. I was fascinated as I watched him stitching, and from that point onwards 

always wanted to be a surgeon. 

2. What made you pursue your specialty? 

Orthopaedics was instantly extremely appealing to me. It is a very practical 

and logical specialty with loads of great kit and gadgetry. I particularly enjoy the 

problem-solving aspects, having the ability to fix patients’ injuries, reconstruct 

or replace their damaged joints, and getting them back to having active lives. 

3. What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Seeing patients getting better is definitely the most rewarding part of the job. 

I also love working with so many other highly skilled co-professionals in the 

hospital and other clinical environments, both in the UK and abroad. 

4. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

I have a young family that keeps me pretty busy. I otherwise enjoy cycling, 

fairweather windsurfing and sailing, and triathlons. I snowboard in the winter 

and love eating. In my younger years, I was a Drum and Bass DJ and ran my own 

record company. I had a number one hit in the Drum and Bass Chart in 1993 

with a 5-track record called the ‘Summer Rush EP’, though that was a lifetime ago. 

5. What is the title of your ‘best read’ so far? 

’Catch 22’ by Joseph Heller – just brilliant. 

6. If you could invite three people to dinner, living or dead, who would 

they be? 

Genghis Khan would be my first choice. Who else but the man who commanded 

the world’s largest contiguous Empire, and from whom one in twelve of us is 

directly descended. My second would be Bill Bryson. I love reading the trivia 

in his books and think he would be extremely interesting to chat to. Novak 

Djokovic would be my third. He is not only an outstanding world-class athlete 

at the top of his game, but extremely bright and an amazing ambassador for his 

country Serbia, that has suffered such a troubled recent history. 

7. What is special about where you grew up? 

I grew up in a lot of places. I was born in Yugoslavia and then lived in Italy 

and Sweden before settling in the UK. I studied in Edinburgh, did my registrar 

training in London and Fellowships in Canada and Australia. All these places 

and their differing cultures hold special memories for me. 

8. Where is your favourite place in the world? 

Nothing beats home with the family. 

9. Who would you get to play yourself in a movie? 

Will Smith. I have always wanted to play a part in saving the world. 

10 Minutes With... 

Mr Henry Atkinson 

Consultant 

Orthopaedic Surgeon 

Secretary: Mandy O’Conor 

T: 08445 617 157 

F: 08445 617 157 

henry.atkinson@sportsortho. 

co.uk 

Mr Henry Atkinson qualified in 

Medicine from the University 

of Edinburgh in July 1998, and 

completed basic surgical training 

in Edinburgh on the South East 

of Scotland BST rotation, 

attaining the Membership of 

the Royal College of Surgeons 

of Edinburgh (MRCS) in 2001. 

He became Fellow of the Royal 

College of Surgeons (FRCS) in 

Trauma and Orthopaedics in 

2006, and completed his 

Specialist Registrar training in 

Trauma and Orthopaedics on 

the Imperial College North West 

Thames rotation in July 2008. 

Henry has also had Fellowship 

training in Sports Medicine 

and Knee and Hip Surgery 

at SportsMed SA, Adelaide, 

Australia; Foot and Ankle 

Surgery at St Michaels Hospital, 

University of Toronto, Ontario, 

Canada; and Trauma and Limb 

Reconstruction at the Banjica 

Special Hospital for Orthopaedic 

Surgery, Belgrade, Serbia. 

Mr Atkinson was appointed 

as a Consultant Orthopaedic 

and Trauma Surgeon at North 

Middlesex University Hospital 

in September 2009. In recent 

years, Mr Atkinson has assisted 

in the publication of many 

scientific papers in a variety 

of subject areas. 

London Bridge 

Hospital’s GP 

Liaison Team 

For those of you who know us well, you 

will be aware of how the GP Liaison 

service can help you. However, for those 

of you who may be unfamiliar with how 

we work, our GP Liaison Team offers the 

following support to our referring General 

Practitioners: 

GP Liaison Assistant Team 

• A dedicated phone line, 020 7234 2009, open 8.30am – 

6.00pm, Monday to Friday for you, your secretaries and 

patients. 

• A fast, efficient appointments service. We can deal with 

both named and unnamed referrals (i.e. Dear Consultant 

Cardiologist). 

• A helpful, friendly team ready to deal with any questions that 

you or your patients may have about the hospital. 

• A promise to help you and your patients as much as we can, 

even if this means making an appointment with a competitor. 

GP Liaison Officer Team 

A GP Liaison Officer dedicated to your area offers the following: 

• Organising educational events on areas of interest to Primary 

Care. These can be both large scale and bespoke smaller scale. 

• Keeping you in touch with the hospital and any new 

developments/services. 

• A personal contact point at the hospital for any issues 

that may arise. 

Call the GP Liaison Team on: 

020 7234 2009 

or email: gpliaisonlbh@hcahealthcare.co.uk 

Your Feedback: 

We are constantly striving to improve our service offering. 

We would be delighted to hear from you with any ideas as 

to how we could do this. Please feel free to contact your 

GP Liaison Officer. 

The Referral Process 

through GP Liaison 

Phone call 

from GP/Sec 

to GPL* 

Fax from 

GP/Sec to 

GPL 

Ensure all 

paperwork with 

secretary prior to 

appointment 

Patient 

attends GP 

consultation 

Referral 

recommended 

GPL call 

patient for 

availability 

GPL liaise with 

Consultants’ 

secretaries 

Call patient 

to offer 

appointment 

= 

Appointment 

made 

Encrypted 

email from 

GP/Sec to 

GPL 

If you wish, we 

can inform you 

when appointment 

is confirmed 

GP directs 

patient to 

contact 

GPL 

* Please note: To save you time, we only need minimum 

details when you contact us: the patient’s name, date of birth, 

contact telephone number, the specialty to which you are 

referring them and brief details of their condition. 

GP Liaison Team 

NINETEEN 

GP Liaison Team

oUR consUltants - London Bridge Hospital

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?