Consultants' update: September/October 2025
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A message from Steve Bellingham, Chief Nursing Officer
It’s my great pleasure to welcome you to this month's consultant newsletter. As the seasons begin to shift, there’s much to look forward to as we approach the end of the year.
We recently reached an exciting milestone in our Lexham Gardens extension project, successfully connecting the main hospital to our new outpatient facilities. We’re now in the final stages of construction and look forward to opening our expanded Radiology, Therapies, and Outpatient services in November. This development is key to unlocking additional inpatient bed capacity, helping us meet the growing demand across both medical and surgical specialties.
Our cardiology services continue to evolve with the opening of a purpose-built cardiac cath lab, now co-located within the theatre environment. Alongside the launch of our dedicated cardiac inpatient ward, this enables us to deliver bespoke care for patients undergoing invasive cardiac procedures. Dedicated staffing and support from theatre recovery further strengthen our offering.
As part of our commitment to safe, effective care, we’ve made significant investments in our governance and risk management frameworks. Many of you will have met Anthony Fitzgerald, our new Director of Governance and Risk. We’ve expanded the Governance team to enhance support and provide greater assurance around the quality and safety of care delivered at Cromwell.
We’ve also made improvements to the preadmission pathway to simplify access for both patients and consultants. These include direct appointment booking led by the preadmissions team, reducing administrative burden and improving patient preparedness. Feedback has been very positive, and we’re pleased to share that we are actively recruiting a Pre-assessment Consultant Anaesthetist to support our high-risk pathway.
Finally, I’d like to thank you, on behalf of myself and the Executive team, for the warm welcome you’ve extended to our first cohort of fifth-year medical students. Their placement is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the quality of care within the independent sector and inspire the next generation of clinicians.
It’s been a pleasure connecting with many of you over the summer, and we remain committed to supporting the growth of your services and practices at Cromwell. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have feedback or need support from myself or any member of the Nursing or Clinical Leadership teams.
Steve Bellingham, Chief Nursing Officer
Cromwell Hospital
The latest news and updates from our Kensington hospital.
Changes to Diagnostic Centres leadership
We’re delighted to share some exciting leadership appointments across our Diagnostic Centres, which reflect both the strength of our teams and the continued growth of our services.
Basinghall Clinic
We are thrilled to announce that Jordan Roy has been appointed as Centre General Manager at Basinghall Clinic. Jordan’s journey is a fantastic example of our Connected Careers approach in action, highlighting the opportunities for growth and development within our organisation.
Jordan joined Cromwell Hospital 3.5 years ago as a Clinical Site Lead, before progressing to Modern Matron for Medicine, where he has excelled over the past two years. He brings deep clinical expertise, strong leadership, and a passion for innovation – qualities that will further strengthen Basinghall’s reputation as a leading provider of diagnostics and secondary care.
To ensure continuity and robust leadership during this transition, our existing nursing leadership team will temporarily oversee the areas that currently report to Jordan. The updated oversight structure is as follows:
- Medical Ward – Heather Lawrence, Modern Matron for Oncology
- Cardiac Ward – Eurícea Vitorino, Modern Matron for Critical Care
- Dialysis & Endocrinology Services – Diana Cardosa, Modern Matron for CYP Services
- CNS Team – Julia Spindler, Head of Nursing Quality and Safety
These changes align with our strategic and operational priorities, and we are confident they will continue to support our commitment to providing exceptional care and ensuring the wellbeing of our patients and staff.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Emma Holloway, who is stepping down from her role as Centre Manager to take up an exciting new opportunity in the Midlands. Emma has been instrumental in building strong teams, enhancing services, and driving improvement at Basinghall Clinic. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and wish her every success in her new role within Bupa Clinics.
London Medical
We are equally pleased to announce that Neha Gambhir has been appointed as the new Centre Manager at London Medical. Neha brings with her a wealth of experience in the private medical sector.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Jessica Beal, who has served as Interim Centre Manager over the past few months. Her dedication and steady leadership have been invaluable in supporting the team through a particularly busy and dynamic period.
Steve Bellingham, Chief Nursing Officer
Deirdre O'Sullivan, Associate Director – Outpatient & Diagnostics Centres
New GenesisCare leadership
We’re pleased to announce that Andrew Cowderoy has joined GenesisCare as its new Centre Leader.
Andrew brings extensive leadership experience to the role, having previously served as Director of Operations at Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital, and as Head of Operations at The Private Clinic and HCA Healthcare.
He officially joined the team on Monday 16 September and is looking forward to connecting with colleagues and partners as he settles into his new role.
Andrew can be contacted at [email protected].
Second Angio lab opens
We were thrilled to celebrate the opening of our second new Angio lab with two special events held on 15 and 28 October. These events gave consultants the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities, explore the latest equipment, and engage in open discussions with our teams.
We were also pleased to welcome members of our Executive team, who joined us in marking this important milestone and recognising the dedication, planning, and teamwork that brought this project to life.
The new Angio lab represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering world-class cardiac care, and we look forward to seeing the impact this facility will have across the service.
For more information about our cardiac services or to discuss Angio bookings, please contact Suné Du Toit, Cardiac Service Manager, at [email protected].
Sharing the success: Surgical Ward and Outpatients
Our Surgical and Outpatient teams play a vital role in the delivery of exceptional care at the hospital, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of their recent achievements.
Surgical Ward
Led by Cynthia Ennevor, Deputy Matron for the Surgical Ward, the team achieved an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 100% in March 2025 – a testament to their dedication to delivering outstanding patient care.
Outpatients
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Tonee Polines and Cyrus Solano, Urology Clinical Nurse Specialists, and the support of Geraldine Guiseppi, Outpatient Nurse Unit Manager, and our urology consultants, we successfully launched the Urology Flexible Cystoscopy Service in the Outpatients Urology Department in July 2025. The service has been well received, with an average of 7 to 10 procedures performed each week.
BSGE Endometriosis Nurse Innovation Award
We are proud to share that Denia Balang, Gynaecology Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been awarded the prestigious BSGE (British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy) Endometriosis Nurse Innovation Award. The award was presented during the BSGE Endometriosis CNS Study Day held in Slough on 7–8 October 2025. Denia showcased Cromwell Hospital’s one-stop endometriosis service, highlighting our commitment to innovation and excellence in women’s health.
Please join us in congratulating our Surgical and Outpatient teams for their continued hard work, innovation, and dedication to delivering exceptional patient care.
Cromwell Hospital hosts Precision Oncology event
On Thursday 9 October, Cromwell Hospital, in partnership with Datar Cancer Genetics, hosted an exclusive evening focused on developments in precision oncology. The event brought together leading oncologists, surgeons, and referrers for a thought-provoking and collaborative discussion on the future of personalised cancer care.
The evening offered valuable insights into how scientifically informed, personalised oncology strategies are driving meaningful improvements in quality and length of life for patients with metastatic cancer. It also highlighted Cromwell Hospital’s pivotal role in delivering leading-edge, evidence-based care within the UK private healthcare sector.
A highlight of the evening was a presentation by Dr Tim Crook, Consultant Medical Oncologist, who shared remarkable real-world outcomes from his precision oncology practice. His work exemplifies how proactive, data-driven cancer care can deliver transformational benefits for patients, aligning with Cromwell’s vision to offer world-class, personalised treatment.
“This was a superb high-visibility platform to demonstrate what can be achieved with a scientifically informed oncology strategy,” said Dr Crook. “It’s a privilege to share outcomes with a global oncology audience and to illustrate the impact we can have on patient lives.”
Events like this reinforce Cromwell Hospital’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and clinical excellence, while showcasing the expertise and leadership within our consultant community.
For more information on referring patients for precision oncology services, please contact [email protected].
Cromwell Hospital hosts 4Cori event
On Thursday 16 October, we were pleased to welcome 4Cori to Cromwell Hospital for an exclusive evening held in our Royal Suite.
Graham Rapier, founder of 4Cori, led the session, introducing how AI-powered, clinician-led video content can save time and enhance clinical practice. During the evening, Graham delivered an insightful presentation, answered questions from our consultant colleagues, and encouraged follow-up discussions for those interested in developing their own digital content or learning more about implementation.
If you’d like to learn more about 4Cori or explore how this innovative platform could support your practice, please contact [email protected].
Coming soon: Digital Hospital
Over the next year, the following exciting digital changes will be coming to Cromwell Hospital:
EMR
- Our paper medical records will be going digital! This will be starting with the scanning of existing records for clinicians to view online.
- Further phases will include electronic forms to replace the current paper forms, as well as integration with our existing clinical systems so that all patient data is available in one place, anytime, anywhere in the hospital.
Ordering tests online
- Ordering will be done digitally using our Compucare system.
- Orders, updates, and results will be sent seamlessly between Compucare and our diagnostics systems (radiology and pathology).
- Roll-out will come to wards first, followed by outpatients.
Ward app
- The inpatient chart will be digitised through a handy ward app, which will integrate with both Compucare and EMR.
- Patients can be assigned to nurses, obs schedules set up, and handovers can take place between nursing shifts.
More details about e-prescribing will be coming soon!
Virtual Secretaries' Town Hall
We’re delighted to share that on Tuesday 7 October, Cromwell Hospital hosted its first-ever Secretaries’ Town Hall, bringing together our valued external secretaries for an engaging and informative evening.
The event was hosted by our Chief Operating Officer, Luis Pedro, and featured key updates from across the hospital, with contributions from our Executive team and senior management. Attendees received insights into several exciting developments, including:
- the hospital expansion project
- launch of the new patient portal
- updates to Compucare and the Digital Hospital initiative
- enhancements to inpatient bookings and anaesthetist cover
The evening also included introductions from our Consultant Engagement and Self-Pay teams, followed by an open Q&A session.
To add a touch of fun, all attendees were entered into a prize draw, with three lucky winners announced on the day.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to making this inaugural event such a success. We look forward to welcoming you and your admin teams to future events!
Secretary newsletter returns
We’re excited to share that the secretary newsletter has been re-launched as a quarterly publication for secretaries and practice managers. It includes key updates from across Cromwell Hospital, London Medical, and Basinghall Clinic, helping your secretaries stay informed and better support you and your patients.
We know how vital secretaries are to the smooth running of your practice, and we want to ensure they feel connected and up to date.
If your secretary hasn’t received the newsletter, please ask them to contact [email protected].
Changes to accessing pathology results
We are simplifying how consultants and secretaries access patient results. From late November, pathology results and radiology reports will move from the current Order Comms system to Compucare Web, bringing everything into one easy-to-use portal. This will mean that clinic bookings and test results are all in one place and the number of authentication apps required will be reduced.
If you require access to Compucare, please contact [email protected].
Consultant compliments
We are delighted to share the following reviews, which were collected via our patient experience platform, Medallia.
Mr Ahmed Ahmed, Consultant GI and Bariatric Surgeon
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the stellar care that my daughter, received prior, during, and after her fundoplication surgery.
Needless to say, we were both apprehensive about undergoing this procedure. However, your gracious, calm, and approachable manner, along with your astute and informed assessment of my daughter's condition set us very much at ease. We felt unhurried and completely listened to during our consultations with you.
This surgery has been life changing for my daughter and our family is tremendously grateful for the skill, expertise, and care you’ve shown towards her.”
Mr Raf Niziol, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Mr Raf Niziol in the lead-up to my upcoming cyst removal procedure.
From the initial consultation, Mr Niziol demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and a calm, reassuring manner that immediately put me at ease. He explained the diagnosis and procedure clearly, answered all of my questions patiently, and ensured I felt fully informed and supported.
His attention to detail and compassionate approach have made a significant difference in how I feel about the upcoming surgery. I am confident that I will be in excellent hands under his care, and I deeply appreciate the time and dedication he has shown throughout the process.
Thank you once again to Mr Niziol and the wider team for providing such outstanding care.”
Dr Andrew Palmer, Consultant Nephrologist
“An extremely efficient hospital from checking in at reception to being greeted by Dr Andrew Palmer, who was excellent.
Dr Palmer listened to my concerns and explained to me in layman terms that I could completely understand, and he allayed my concerns and gave me confidence. He was very approachable and easy to converse with. I can’t recommend highly enough the whole experience from the warm and welcoming staff through to seeing Dr Palmer.
Thank you, Dr Palmer, and to all concerned.”
Mr Ragheed Al-Mufti, Consultant Breast Oncoplastic and Endocrine Surgeon
“I was incredibly nervous during the appointment and Mr Al-Mufti could not have been kinder, keeping me calm and explaining everything to me, and bonus points for great conversation throughout! Couldn’t recommend highly enough to other patients.”
Mr Nicholas Dixon, Consultant Gynaecologist
“Dr Dixon was fantastic and made me feel cared for and comforted, both at our appointment ahead of the outpatient procedure and during the admission itself. He explained everything well, explained things as they were being done and gave time for me to ask questions.”
Mr Simon Moyes, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
“I was seen by Mr Simon Moyes following the recommendation by a former patient whom he had treated. I left my consultation with Mr Moyes feeling hopeful, joyous, and with renewed confidence following the discussion on the options available to me. Mr Moyes presented very well. Professionally and with an empathy and understanding that I believe any patient would want from an expert in their chosen medical specialism. He listened to all I had to say and appeared to be genuinely interested in and appreciative of my thoughts and concerns regarding my medical issue. He was kind, listened to my concerns, and to my understanding of my issue and thus proved to be extremely helpful in guiding me towards deciding upon a suitable treatment path. I cannot recommend him enough. No airs about him. He engaged well with his colleagues on reception and other patients and staff members. He listens. He cares. He works with you to help you. He is willing to give his time!”
Mr Hamid Abboudi, Consultant Urological Surgeon
“I came in for a consultation with Mr Abboudi and, as always, he was professional, compassionate, and attentive. He listened carefully. The urine, blood, and CT tests were organised and carried out seamlessly by the relevant departments at the Cromwell – my appointment began at 5:40 pm and I was home by 7 pm. The process was exceptionally well-organised and efficient, and I was met and treated by excellent, caring, thoughtful, and efficient staff throughout. As always, the Cromwell will always be my first choice for my healthcare.”
Mr Alexander Macdonald, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
- Clinical interests: Baby neonatal hernia surgery, children's minimally invasive surgery, and tongue-tie surgery
- NHS base: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Ms Tamara Gall, Consultant General and Hepatobiliary Surgeon
- Clinical interests: Hernia repairs, gall bladder surgery, and skin lesions
- Private only
Dr Carla Plymen, Consultant Cardiologist
- Clinical interests: General cardiology and heart failure
- NHS base: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London Medical
What's new at our outpatient and diabetes specialist centre located in Marylebone.
New leadership at London Medical
We’re delighted to welcome Neha Gambhir as the new General Manager at London Medical.
Neha brings a wealth of experience to the role and officially joined the team on Monday 13 October. As she settles in, she’s eager to connect with consultants and colleagues across the clinic.
“I’m really delighted to have recently joined London Medical, part of Bupa, as Centre General Manager. It’s a privilege to be part of such a respected organisation with such a kind and dedicated team of consultants and staff, all united by a shared commitment to delivering outstanding patient care. Over the next few months, my focus will be on enhancing the patient experience, supporting our teams, and making sure London Medical continues to feel welcoming, seamless, and personal for everyone who walks through our doors.”
You can reach Neha directly at [email protected].
Dr Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Consultant Cardiologist
- Clinical interests: Abnormal heart rhythms, blackouts, breathlessness, and heart attack/angina
- NHS base: East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Basinghall Clinic
The latest updates from our outpatient diagnostic centre in the heart of the City.
New leadership at Basinghall Clinic
We’re pleased to announce that Jordan Roy has been appointed as General Manager at Basinghall Clinic.
Jordan brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent the past two years as Matron for Medicine and, prior to that, 18 months as Clinical Site Lead. During this time, he has worked closely with consultants and clinical teams across a wide range of specialties.
“These experiences have really highlighted the power of collaboration and the impact it has on both patient experience and outcomes. As I step into this new role, I’m excited to strength the connection between Cromwell Hospital and our clinics – supporting our teams to work more closely together and deliver seamless, connected care for every patient.”
Jordan can be contacted at [email protected].
Head and neck
- MRI head scan
- MRI head and intracranial MRA
- MRI head and carotid MRA
- MRI head and IAMS
- MRI orbits
- MRI pituitary
- MRI sinuses
- MRI TMJs
- MRI facial bones
- MRI neck
- MRI brachial plexus
- MRI axilla
- MRI base of skull
Spine
- MRI cervical spine
- MRI thoracic spine
- MRI lumbar spine
- MRI cervical and thoracic spine
- MRI thoracic and lumbar spine
- MRI cervical, thoracic, and lumbar Spine
- MRI lumbar spine and pelvis
- MRI lumbar spine and SIJs
- MRI sacrum
- MRI coccyx
- MRI sacroiliac joints
Abdomen and pelvis
- MRI abdomen
- MRI abdominal wall
- MRI abdomen and pelvis
- MRI pelvis
- MRI pelvis (gynaecological)
- MRI liver
- MRI pancreas
- MRI kidneys
- MRI MRCP
- MRI prostate
- MRI renal angiogram
Musculoskeletal – upper limb
- MRI shoulders
- MRI elbows
- MRI wrists
- MRI hands
- MRI arms
- MRI humerus
Musculoskeletal – lower limb
- MRI hips
- MRI knees
- MRI ankles
- MRI feet
- MRI calves
- MRI thighs
- MRI femurs
- MRI Achilles tendon
Other
- MRI chest wall
- MRI arthrogram
- MRI with gadolinium contrast
Allergy clinic
We’re delighted to announce that Dr Florentina Dumitru, Consultant in Allergy, will soon be offering specialist clinics at Basinghall Clinic, focusing on allergy testing and asthma support.
Dr Dumitru brings extensive expertise in allergy diagnostics and asthma management, and her clinics will include the following services:
- Skin prick allergy testing (SPAT) – A widely used diagnostic procedure where small droplets of allergens are applied to the skin and gently pricked with a lancet to observe any allergic reaction. The effectiveness of this test depends on the specific allergen panels used and can provide valuable insights into allergy triggers.
- Personal asthma action plans (PAAPs) – Tailored written plans designed to empower individuals with asthma to manage their condition effectively. Developed collaboratively with patients or carers, PAAPs provide clear guidance on daily management and steps to take if symptoms worsen, helping to improve overall wellbeing and reduce asthma-related complications.
Mr Walter Cazzaniga, Consultant Urological Surgeon
- Clinical interests: General urology, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and urological oncology
- NHS base: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Mr Nicholas Dixon, Consultant Gynaecologist
- Clinical interests: Assessment and management of abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain and ovarian conditions
- NHS base: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
We hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter. For queries, please contact [email protected].