PATIENT INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

We aim to provide you with a quality service from the moment you call our clinic and speak to our representatives, through to consultation with one of our surgeons and finally to treatment. Your experience with The Birmingham Thyroid Clinic is important to us and we work hard to make it as pain-free and as pleasant as possible at all points.

GETTING IN TOUCH

We frequently have patients from abroad, including the middle and far east, Canada, USA, Africa and Scandinavia. Consultations can be arranged via the internet or telephone in the first instance if this is more convenient.

Your Needs

We know how stressful a diagnosis can be so we work to understand your needs, because no two patients are alike. We take your symptoms seriously and explain how they relate to your condition.

Your surgeon will discuss the benefits, risks and treatment and will also cover:

  • Details about your pain and whether it is due to endometriosis.
  • Develop with you a treatment plan that is specific to your needs.
  • Discuss your treatment and how it relates to your wish for pregnancy.
  • Base the discussion on proven methods of treatment.

patient faqs

A referral letter from your GP is helpful, particularly if you are insured as many insurance companies will require a referral letter in order to cover your treatment. If you are at all uncertain, please call the The Birmingham Thyroid Clinic secretary on +44 (0)121 446 1892 who will be able to answer any of your queries. It is also useful if you bring as much information as you can regarding your previous treatments, for example, any previous surgical and pathology reports from laparoscopies.

A first consultation lasts between 30 minutes and one hour. You will be asked extensively about your symptoms and history. Treatment options will be discussed and you will be able to discuss any questions you may have.

Many patients attending the clinic do not have healthcare insurance. However, if you do have healthcare insurance, please bring details of your insurance cover to your first consultation.
If you do require surgery the cost of this surgery depends on the type and extent of your condition. The cost will be discussed with you before scheduling your pre-op appointment and again on the day of your consultation.
Surgery for treatment or further investigation can usually be arranged within two weeks of the consultation.

The Birmingham Thyroid Clinic operates from the following hospitals: the University Hospital Coventry & Warwick, the BMI The Priory Hospital, the BUPA Cromwell Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. You will be seen at the hospital most convenient for you.

For an appointment, please call + 44 (0)121 446 1892. or email us at contact@thebirminghamthyroidclinic.com

what our patients say

We take pride in our work and patient satisfaction is very important to us. We are very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to gift us with feedback and words of thanks and appreciation.

This section is updated regularly.

I was just so impressed. I would recommend him to anyone

""During my first meeting with John he told me that he would do my operation the following week and that he would follow up ensuring I had the best possible care. He told me to let him worry about things now - that was his job. His confidence was clear and I trusted every word. It's such a relief to get someone that understands and takes the time to fully explain everything to us. He even answered my stupid questions without making me feel stupid. I was just so impressed. I would recommend him to anyone."

Barry

Birmingham - June. 2019

The care he afforded me was first class.

"The care he afforded me was first class. Right from the start, I had every confidence in John's abilities. He is also blessed with a great sense of humour and has made me smile on many occasions."

Amanda

Birmingham - April. 2019

He looked after me in a fantastic way.

"John was my surgeon for thyroid cancer in 2015. He suggested I have a biopsy on a suspicious thyroid nodule and then performed the surgery for a partial thyroidectomy. From the moment I met John, he was very clear with me and I trusted him to take care of me as best as he could. With John as my surgeon I felt that I had every reason to be well again. He was always personable and approachable. I have always felt that I could ask him anything regarding my health and I cannot recommend John highly enough. His experience is second to none but it is manner than makes the difference for me. My health is something that is complex and at times seems ongoing and I feel, with John, that I can always rely on his sound advice. It's important to feel that you can ask the questions you need to and John always takes the time to answer. I really wish everyone going through cancer had an doctor like John. It's scary enough having cancer, and communicating shouldn't be another thing to fight. Thank you John!"

Phil

Tamworth - Jan. 2019

I really wish everyone going through cancer had a doctor like John.

"John was my surgeon for thyroid cancer in 2015. He suggested I have a biopsy on a suspicious thyroid nodule and then performed the surgery for a partial thyroidectomy. From the moment I met John, he was very clear with me and I trusted him to take care of me as best as he could. With John as my surgeon I felt that I had every reason to be well again. He was always personable and approachable. I have always felt that I could ask him anything regarding my health and I cannot recommend John highly enough. His experience is second to none but it is manner than makes the difference for me. My health is something that is complex and at times seems ongoing and I feel, with John, that I can always rely on his sound advice. It's important to feel that you can ask the questions you need to and John always takes the time to answer. I really wish everyone going through cancer had an doctor like John. It's scary enough having cancer, and communicating shouldn't be another thing to fight. Thank you John!"

Laura

Birmingham - Dec. 2018

 John is truly an experienced endocrine surgeon I can trust.

The first time I met John was in 1994. I was assisting him with a thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. He worked with a high degree of manual dexterity. His encyclopedic medical knowledge was impressive, visuospatial awareness and decision- making skills were outstanding. He communicated with the multidisciplinary team in a professional manner. He was approachable and most of all he shoved compassion towards this woman, who was diagnosed with cancer and just, had a newborn baby. I was an expectant mother and felt very moved by his dedication towards patients.

In 2014, it was me who needed thyroid surgery. I turned to John for help with removing the cancer. He was attentive and approachable. He kindly agreed and provided me with detailed information regarding my condition. I received full knowledge of the facts about the treatment and care offered. John explained pre and post- operative care, monitoring and planning. He organized fine needle biopsy, with multimodality risk assessment, including clinical risk monitoring and working with MDT to make an optimal surgical decision. The outcome of the surgery was excellent with a good scar and functioning recurrent laryngeal nerve. John showed me his kindness, impressive decision-making and excellent surgical skills. He was a pleasure to talk to. John treated me with dignity and with a professional integrity. His bedside manner was extremely polite. He was highly knowledgeable and caring. I do trust him as a surgeon and I can highly recommend him.

 

"D"

Birmingham - Dec. 2018