Consultants' update: January/February 2026

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A message from Philip Luce, Chief Executive Officer

As we begin 2026, it feels both appropriate and important to pause and reflect on the extraordinary journey that has brought us to this point. Looking back, 2025 marked the foundation of a period of exceptional growth, ambition, and achievement – momentum that accelerated at pace through what proved to be a truly remarkable year. Together, we have delivered results that few organisations can claim: record levels of revenue and patient activity, the introduction of new and enhanced services, outstanding staff engagement, and, most importantly, excellent clinical outcomes for our patients.

As part of Bupa Diagnostic and Secondary Care London, we have significantly expanded our secondary care footprint with the acquisitions of London Medical, New Victoria, and most recently King Edward VII Hospital. These milestones are a direct reflection of the sustained success seen across Basinghall Clinic and Cromwell Hospital in recent years, and they underline the confidence that Bupa continues to place in our collective capability and vision.

Alongside record performance, 2025 saw unprecedented levels of investment from Bupa that have transformed what we are able to offer: two brand-new cath labs, the opening of Lexham Gardens, a new radiology department, and the acquisition of a single-port robotic system and much more. This level of investment, combined with your clinical expertise, loyalty, and support – often delivered while navigating the challenges of a major refurbishment programme – has created opportunities and outcomes that are truly unparalleled in Cromwell’s history.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue to unlock further inpatient and outpatient capacity through the completion of the ground floor and basement works at Cromwell Hospital. We will invest in new technologies, with the installation of the Aquablation HYDROS® already underway as we begin the year. Beyond Cromwell, we will focus on how best to realise the full potential of our growing London campus, creating synergy and shared opportunity across New Victoria and King Edward VII Hospitals, while respecting and celebrating the unique strengths and expertise of each site.

We are also preparing to open Canary Wharf, our first large-scale diagnostic centre in the City, which brings together a Bupa Health Clinic, Bupa Dental Clinic, and an expanded diagnostic capability that surpasses even Basinghall. Above all, we remain committed to improving patient satisfaction and to working more closely than ever with you, our GP and consultant colleagues.

2026 promises to be an exceptional year. Thank you once again for your continued support, patience, and partnership. I very much look forward to everything we will achieve together in the year ahead.

Philip Luce, Chief Executive Officer (Diagnostic and Secondary Care London)

[email protected]

Cromwell Hospital

The latest news and updates from our Kensington hospital.

A new home for Heart Partners and Mews Medical

Mews Medical opening
The opening of 12A Pennant Mews

On Thursday 12 February, we celebrated the official opening of 20a Pennant Mews – the new home of leading cardiac group Heart Partners and the newly launched GP practice Mews Medical. 

The bespoke outpatient facility was formally opened to patients by Dr Syed Ahsan, Consultant Cardiologist, marking an exciting milestone for the group. 

Heart Partners brings together a team of highly experienced cardiac specialists whose collective expertise spans electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, and cardiac surgery. Their new space is designed to support advanced, patient‑centred cardiac care in a modern, purpose‑built environment. 

Mews Medical, led by GPs Dr Laura Wood and Dr Baldeep Syan, expands high‑quality primary care for the local community. With many years of experience serving the Kensington area, they bring expertise in oncology, dermatology, women’s health, and mental health. Mews Medical will also continue to hold clinics at London Medical. 

Immunotherapy for early type 1 diabetes

London Medical, in partnership with Cromwell Hospital, is proud to be the first in the UK to offer Teplizumab – a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment designed to delay the onset of early type 1 diabetes.

This service is available for patients aged 8 and above who are in stage 2 type 1 diabetes or identified as at-risk through screening. Each patient undergoes blood tests to confirm eligibility, followed by a consultation to discuss treatment options. If eligible, the treatment consists of a 14-day course of daily IV infusions, delivered at Cromwell Hospital.

Additionally, London Medical also offers a screening service for early type 1 diabetes, enabling timely interventions such as immunotherapy.

This innovative service is delivered by internationally recognised specialists in diabetes care and research at London Medical:

  • Dr Ralph Abraham – Founder of London Medical
  • Professor Pratik Choudhary – Leading researcher in diabetes technology and immunotherapy
  • Dr Sufyan Hussain – Expert in advanced and innovative diabetes treatments
  • Dr Rakesh Amin – Consultant paediatric endocrinologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital

For more information or to refer a patient, please email the team at [email protected] or call 0800 0483 330.

Find out more >

Update: Next phase of hospital expansion

We’re writing to share an important update on the next stage of our hospital expansion.

From 5 January, refurbishment works will commence on the ground floor and basement levels. This phase is expected to run through most of 2026.

What to expect

We want to be transparent about the impact these works may have on our day-to-day environment: 

  • Noise: There will be loud noise on most weekdays between 8am and 5pm. 
  • The highest levels of disruption are anticipated during the first couple of months while contractors complete the strip-out phase, though some level of noise will continue throughout the project. 

Importantly, patients will be kept informed through: 

  • clear messaging in appointment letters 
  • prominent signage throughout the hospital 
  • visible apologies for any inconvenience caused 

We recognise this will be inconvenient and, at times, challenging. We ask for your patience, optimism, and support as we work through this together. Our teams are collaborating closely with all departments to minimise disruption wherever possible.

Thank you, as always, for your professionalism, resilience, and continued commitment to Cromwell Hospital.

Cromwell Executive Team 

New: Aquablation HYDROS®

Cromwell Hospital is delighted to share an exciting development within our Aquablation therapy programme. 

Aquablation is an advanced, heat‑free waterjet treatment for benign prostate enlargement, designed to reduce side effects (such as erectile dysfunction) often associated with traditional procedures. 

We are proud to introduce HYDROS®, the latest robotic system now supporting our Aquablation service. Developed using extensive real‑world clinical experience, HYDROS® delivers meaningful benefits for consultants and their teams, including: 

  • AI‑powered treatment planning that helps urologists identify critical anatomy and tailor a personalised treatment plan for every patient 
  • real‑time ultrasound and cystoscopic imaging providing a detailed, comprehensive view of patient anatomy throughout the procedure 
  • robotically assisted waterjet technology that precisely follows the planned treatment path, enabling efficient and predictable prostate tissue resection 
  • consistent resection times, regardless of prostate size or surgeon experience 
  • an integrated, streamlined platform designed to improve workflow efficiency and enhance both surgeon and staff experience 

Cromwell Hospital is now the second hospital in the UK to adopt this leading technology, further strengthening our commitment to providing world‑class, minimally invasive urology care. 

Find out more > 

Update: Lexham Gardens

We’re excited to share that Lexham Gardens officially opened for Radiology and Therapies on Monday 1 December.

This marks a significant milestone in our redevelopment and expansion programme – though the project is not yet complete, with many more exciting developments to come.

We would like to make all consultants aware of the following: 

  • Radiology and Therapies are now located within the Lexham building, accessible either from Cromwell Hospital or via the new entrance on Lexham Gardens. 
  • Interim signage is in place to guide patients, and this will be enhanced over the coming weeks as the old departments close and boarding is erected for the next phase of construction. 

Our teams have worked incredibly hard for the move and will continue to settle in over the next few weeks as third floor outpatient clinic rooms close. We truly appreciate your patience and support during this transition.

New MDT launches

Molecular Oncology MDT launches

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Molecular Oncology MDT.

This new multidisciplinary forum provides a structured, evidence‑informed setting to review and interpret liquid biopsy and molecular profiling results for cancer patients, enabling the team to recommend the most appropriate personalised treatment options.

An ad hoc meeting was recently convened to review an urgent case. Chaired by Dr Tim Crook, the session saw excellent engagement and delivered a positive outcome.

The Molecular MDT will take place on the first Monday of each month at 8am.

For further information, please contact [email protected].

2026 MDT schedule

For more information on our MDTs, please download the updated schedule.

Download the 2026 MDT schedule >

Notice: Compucare update postponed

Due to unforeseen challenges during the implementation of the new Compucare order comms system, we have decided to pause its deployment.

As of Monday 1 December, we have reverted to the IMS Maxims order comms system, where all pathology and radiology results are now accessible. Please note that all results generated during the Compucare period have also been migrated and are available in IMS Maxims.

This interim solution will remain in place while we work to develop and optimise the Compucare system. This decision ensures continuity of care and upholds our commitment to patient safety and service excellence.

Our IT and Transformation teams are actively addressing the issues with Compucare and will implement the necessary improvements in collaboration with key stakeholders. We will keep you updated on progress. In the meantime, please continue using IMS Maxims as before.

For access to Order Comms or Compucare, please contact [email protected].

Notice: Annual leave

With Easter fast approaching, we want to ensure that outpatient clinic and theatre capacity is used as effectively as possible during this period. We know that many consultants request additional ad‑hoc clinics and theatre sessions around their annual leave to meet patient and service needs.

If you are planning to take time off over Easter and need to cancel any outpatient clinics, theatre lists, or cath lab sessions, please inform our teams as early as possible so we can plan appropriately and reallocate capacity where needed.

For clinics, contact [email protected] 

For theatres and angio, contact [email protected] 

Notice: Changes to self-pay pricing

Please note that our standard prices – including self-pay outpatient diagnostic prices, self-pay packages, and fixed-price packages – have been updated as of 1 January 2026. 

These annual reviews ensure we remain competitive within the London market. 

For quotations and detailed pricing information, please contact [email protected]. 

Notice: Updates to our WiFi network

WiFi network name

From 13 January, the dedicated Cromwell Hospital Wi-Fi network name will change from BCH-Consultant to Consultant.

To connect, please:

  • Remove or “forget” the BCH-Consultant network from your device.
  • Log in to Consultant using the same password as before.

WiFi calling

We encourage all consultants to enable Wi‑Fi calling to help you stay connected across the entire Cromwell campus. 

Once Wi‑Fi calling is enabled, you can place calls exactly as you normally would. When connected to the internet, your device will display ‘Internet call’ or ‘Wi‑Fi calling’ on the notification bar. 

If you’re not connected to Wi‑Fi, your calls will automatically route through your mobile network instead. 

For step‑by‑step instructions on enabling Wi‑Fi calling on iPhone or Android devices, please download our setup guide. 

Consultant compliments

We are delighted to share the following reviews for consultants working at Cromwell Hospital, which were collected via our patient experience platform, Medallia.

London Medical

What's new at our outpatient and diabetes specialist centre located in Marylebone.

New: Weight management programme

London Medical has introduced new SmartWeight programmes designed to support patients in managing their weight effectively.

The programmes include SmartWeight Access and SmartWeight Advanced, both offering an initial consultation, comprehensive blood tests, a nurse assessment, and – where appropriate – a prescription. 

SmartWeight Access provides a standalone service for those seeking a focused approach, while SmartWeight Advanced delivers ongoing, personalised care over a 12-month period for sustained support and results. 

Patients can benefit from: 

  • personalised care and consultant-led expertise 
  • their consultation, blood tests, and prescription completed in one visit (if bloods are taken pre-10am) 
  • access to London Medical’s on-site pharmacy or next-day home delivery 

Patients will be able to choose their consultant: 

  • Dr Ralph Abraham – Founder of London Medical, specialising in diabetes and weight management. 
  • Dr Harvinder Chahal – Consultant in endocrinology, diabetes, and bariatric medicine. 
  • Dr Mimi Chen – Consultant in diabetes and endocrinology with a special interest in weight management. 

For more information or to refer a patient, please email the team at [email protected] or call 0800 0483 330. 

Find out more >

Ophthalmology

London Medical provides a consultant-led outpatient ophthalmology service offering assessment, diagnostic testing, and procedures. The service supports both new and follow-up patients and is designed to provide timely access, safe care, and clear clinical outcomes. 

Ophthalmic diagnostics and procedures are delivered on site, with established referral and follow-up pathways to ensure continuity of care. Where required, patients can be referred on for further treatment within the wider Bupa network. 

To discuss a referral or arrange an appointment, please contact [email protected]. 

New: Paediatric urology

Patients can now access specialist paediatric urology services at London Medical. 

This service is led by Miss Marie-Klaire Farrugia, a highly experienced consultant who joined Cromwell Hospital in 2017 and is fully trained in robotic surgery. 

Consultant compliments

We are delighted to share the following reviews for consultants working at London Medical, which were collected via our patient experience platform, Medallia.

Basinghall Clinic

The latest updates from our outpatient diagnostic centre in the heart of the City.

Leadership changes

We’re delighted to announce that Joe Carey and Max Skinner have now joined the Basinghall management team.

Joe Carey joins us from Nuffield Health as our Primary Care Manager, where he will lead and support the primary care service within Basinghall. 

Max Skinner, with a strong background in hospitality in Australia, steps into the role of Admin Operations Lead, working closely with Jordan to drive excellence across our secondary care services. 

We’re excited to welcome them both and look forward to the expertise and energy they’ll bring to the team. 

MSK and physiotherapy services

At Basinghall Clinic, we provide a fully integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) pathway with daily on-site physiotherapy and MSK physician clinics.  

In addition to routine and initial consultations, our services include: 

  • onsite ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI 
  • shockwave therapy 
  • steroid injections 

To find out more or refer a patient, please email [email protected]. 

MRI services

Our state-of-the-art MRI facility at Basinghall offers over 50 scan types, including contrast-enhanced studies, to ensure comprehensive diagnostic capabilities for your patients.

We accept referrals from Cromwell Hospital, New Victoria Hospital, King Edward VII’s Hospital, as well as other external referrers.

Our opening hours are Monday to Wednesday, 7.30am to 8pm and Thursday to Friday, 7.30am to 5pm.

For further information or to submit a referral, please email [email protected].

Consultant compliments

We are delighted to share the following reviews for consultants working at Basinghall Clinic, which were collected via our patient experience platform, Medallia.

New consultants

A warm welcome to all our new consultants.

New to Cromwell Hospital

Dr Sujay Chandran, Consultant Cardiologist

Dr Sujay Chandran, Consultant Cardiologist

  • Clinical interests: Complex coronary intervention and intravascular imaging
  • NHS base: Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust

View profile >

Dr Krishnaraj Rathod, Consultant Cardiologist

Dr Krishnaraj Rathod, Consultant Cardiologist

  • Clinical interests: Interventional cardiology, coronary artery disease, and complex coronary interventions
  • NHS base: Barts Health NHS Trust

View profile >

Dr Konstantinos Savvatis

Dr Konstantinos Savvatis, Consultant Cardiologist

  • Clinical interests: Inherited and acquired cardiomyopathies, advanced cardiovascular MRI, and echocardiography
  • NHS base: Barts Health NHS Trust

View profile >

New to London Medical

For patient referrals, please email [email protected] or call 0800 0483 330.

Dr Stephanie Kayode, Consultant Allergist

Dr Stephanie Kayode, Consultant Allergist

  • Clinical interests: Food and drug provocation testing, immunotherapy, and multidisciplinary allergy clinics
  • NHS base: Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

View profile >

Ragheed alMufti

Mr Ragheed Al-Mufti, Consultant General Surgeon

  • Clinical interests: Breast surgery, breast reconstruction, endocrine surgery, gynaecomastia, and retrosternal goitres
  • NHS base: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

View profile >

Ms Mahwash Babar

Ms Mahwash Babar, Consultant Breast Surgeon

  • Clinical interests: Oncoplastic reconstructive breast surgery, mammoplasty, contralateral symmetrisation, developmental and revisional surgery
  • NHS base: Whittington Health NHS Trust

View profile >

Dr Bina Parmar

Miss Bina Parmar, Consultant Ophthalmologist

  • Clinical interests: General and paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, lazy eye, double vision, and benign lid lumps
  • NHS base: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

View profile >

Dr Laura Wood, GP

Dr Laura Wood, General Practitioner

  • Clinical interests: Women’s health, menopause, mental health, and paediatrics
  • Private only

View profile >

Dr Baldeep Syan, GP

Dr Baldeep Syan, General Practitioner

  • Clinical interests: Oncology, dermatology, women’s health, and paediatrics 
  • Private only

View profile >

Elena Khamzina

Dr Elena Khamzina, General Practitioner

  • Clinical interests: Women’s health, breast diseases, obstetrics, and gynaecology
  • NHS base: The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

View profile >

We hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter. For queries, please contact [email protected].