Consultants' update: September 2026
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A message from Oliver Phillips, Head of Development
As we look towards the final months of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly exceptional period for Cromwell Hospital and thank you for the expertise, commitment and partnership you have brought throughout 2026.
Following what is set to be the busiest year in Cromwell's history, we should all be incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Our success is built on the dedication of our consultants, clinical teams and colleagues across the hospital, and I would like to sincerely thank you for the role you have played in delivering outstanding care and supporting the continued growth of the hospital.
There has been much to celebrate this year. Most recently, our Gynaecology Pathway was recognised with the Best of Bupa Award, an outstanding achievement given there were more than 30,000 nominations nationally. We were also delighted to see the pathway receive further recognition through the Zurich Health & Wellbeing Excellence Award, reflecting the innovation, quality and exceptional patient outcomes being delivered by our teams. These achievements are a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our consultants and colleagues across the hospital and demonstrate the impact we can achieve when we work together.
We are equally proud to have been shortlisted for both Hospital of the Year and Healthcare Outcomes of the Year at this year's LaingBuisson Awards. These recognitions are testament to the collective efforts of our consultants, nurses, allied health professionals and support teams, and we look forward to celebrating together in November.
As we enter an important period for the hospital, including the upcoming half-term and Christmas holiday periods, I would also ask for your support in helping us manage capacity effectively. If you anticipate reducing activity, cancelling clinics or releasing operating lists, please let us know as early as possible. Advance notice allows us to maximise utilisation of our facilities, support colleagues looking for additional capacity, minimise disruption for patients and ensure we continue to meet demand during traditionally quieter periods.
Looking ahead, a key focus for the remainder of the year will be the effective utilisation of our facilities, services and clinical capacity. We remain committed to supporting the growth of your practice and creating opportunities for you to deliver exceptional patient care at Cromwell Hospital.
The Commercial Team and I are always available to discuss growth opportunities, referral development, new services, clinical capacity or any way in which we can better support you and your patients. Please do not hesitate to get in touch; we would be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you once again for your continued support and contribution to Cromwell Hospital. We look forward to finishing the year strongly and building on our success together.
Oliver Phillips
Head of Development
Cromwell Hospital
The latest news and updates from our Kensington hospital.
Transformation update: New Cardiology Diagnostic Suite
We're pleased to share that our new Cardiology Diagnostic Suite opened on Monday 14 September on the ground floor of Cromwell Hospital.
Previously located in Pennant Mews, the new suite provides a dedicated, modern environment designed to enhance the experience for both patients and consultants. Situated close to our consulting rooms, the new location offers a welcoming waiting area and brings cardiac diagnostic services closer to outpatient consultations.
The move will help create a smoother patient journey by reducing unnecessary movement around the hospital, while also supporting closer collaboration between consultants and Cardiac Physiologists.
High-Risk Anaesthetic Clinic
Since the High-Risk Anaesthetic Clinic began as a pilot, it has received excellent feedback from clinicians across the hospital. Reflecting on its impact, Dr Sarah Frankton said:
"Since the High-Risk Clinic has started, I have been receiving extremely positive feedback from our surgeons and anaesthetists regarding the quality of assessments and feel this has been a very positive step in ensuring the safety of our surgical patients."
To mark the formal launch of the service, Dr Safeena Afzal, Consultant Anaesthetist and Medical Lead for Pre-Operative Assessment, shares more about the clinic and its objectives:
“Thank you for your warm welcome to Cromwell Hospital, and a huge thanks to you all for your support over the past six months. As many of you will already know, I've set up and been running a High-Risk Anaesthetic Clinic (HRAC) as a pilot project, with the support of Dr Sarah Frankton and Dr John Cousins. I am pleased to say that we will be formally launching this service over the coming months following on from the really great feedback received from you all!
The core objective for HRAC is to deliver a patient-centred approach to planning safe perioperative care for our most complex and vulnerable patients and coordinating the patients' upcoming hospital journey with all relevant multidisciplinary team members informed and involved. Patients are seen face to face (or remotely when geography is challenging), comorbidities and functional capacity are assessed in detail, and perioperative risk is discussed and documented. There is an opportunity to address modifiable risk factors, as well as ensure shared decision-making in line with national guidance. Over time, I would like to grow this into being able to offer other pre-operative services such as prehabilitation. I see patients for both complex medical comorbidities, as well as those who for any reason require focussed care and planning due to psychological needs.
I will be sharing details on 'how to refer' in due course. In the meantime, please do feel free to reach out directly: 07710 207225 or [email protected].”
Gut Health Clinic
Our consultant-led Gut Health Clinic provides a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of patients with gastrointestinal, metabolic, and hormone-related concerns. We take a comprehensive view of each patient, looking beyond presenting symptoms to identify underlying causes, co-existing conditions, and contributing lifestyle factors that may affect health outcomes.
Using evidence-based diagnostics and specialist expertise, we develop personalised management plans tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
Patients may benefit from referral if they have:
- bloating, abdominal pain, reflux, constipation, or diarrhoea
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or suspected small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- difficulties with weight management
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause-related symptoms, or other hormone-related concerns
- type 2 diabetes or other metabolic conditions
- a need for a more comprehensive assessment of their overall health and wellbeing
Following specialist assessment, patients may be recommended further investigations, including:
- blood tests to assess vitamin, mineral and nutritional deficiencies
- stool testing to assess gut health and microbiome
- imaging investigations, such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound
- endoscopic procedures
- SIBO breath testing
Therapies' update
Respiratory Outpatient Physiotherapy
Are your patients experiencing breathlessness, struggling to return to their usual activities after illness, finding it difficult to take a full breath, or living with a persistent irritable cough?
Refer them to a Respiratory Physiotherapist who can expertly and holistically assess several conditions such as:
- acute respiratory and chronic lung diseases, including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis
- neuromuscular conditions, with respiratory muscle weakness or ineffective cough
- post-COVID-19 rehabilitation, fatigue management, and return to sports
- unexplained breathlessness or PoTS (postural tachycardia syndrome)
We can help with airway clearance, breathing pattern retraining, assessing lung capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and overall physical fitness. Our education and self-management strategies help to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Our cardiothoracic therapists (Kate Cason, Denise Oliver and Emma Scott) are highly experienced and trained in Buteyko, BradCliff, Pilates and acupuncture to name few intervention strategies. Our goal is to help patients to better manage their condition and live more fulfilling lives.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
We are pleased to highlight our Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service, led by specialist physiotherapists Liliana Djurovic, Millie Cawley, and Gabby Haigh. Together, they provide expert assessment and treatment for patients both post-operatively on the wards and in the outpatient setting.
Their expertise includes:
- pelvic organ prolapse (including pessary fitting)
- urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
- bowel dysfunction
- pelvic pain conditions
- pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
- antenatal birth preparation
- postnatal rehabilitation following vaginal or caesarean delivery
- diastasis recti
They bring a combined, extensive NHS and international private practice experience, with specialist expertise in pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, and pregnancy and postnatal rehabilitation. The team works closely with consultants and multidisciplinary teams to provide evidence-based, patient-centred care and optimise patient outcomes.
Refer to us with a referral request form or consultant report letter requesting the specialty of preference and management.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 020 7460 5749
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.
Mr Awwad Awwad, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
“Dr Awad Awad was amazing. He is so experienced but more than that, he ensured I felt comfortable and explained everything so well and detailed. I have been very traumatised, and he has made me feel reassured that everything will be ok. Wonderful experience.”
Mr Rufus Cartwright, Consultant Gynaecologist
“High score due to the excellent care I gave from my gynaecologist Mr Cartwright, I would be happy to recommend him should the occasion arise.”
Dr Ien Chan, Consultant Dermatologist
“The Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ien Chan, is quite friendly, knowledgeable and caring. He handled my surgery with great care.”
Dr Tim Crook, Consultant Medical Oncologist
“Dr Crook is extremely knowledgeable and professional, very happy with the service provided.”
Mr Graham Duguid, Consultant Ophthalmologist
“Dr Duguid is an experienced ophthalmologist who I feel comfortable seeing. He answers all my questions and explains everything clearly.”
Professor Ali Ghoz, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
“Professor Ali Ghoz has been amazing, most reassuring and even though I'm terrified at the thought of such major surgery he made me feel safe and I trust him implicitly.”
Dr Sameer Zar, Consultant Gastroenterologist
“Experienced doctor, thoroughly asked questions and listened intently. Explained possibilities and next steps. Followed up on email as promised after the appointment with the next step. Big thank you to Dr. Sameer Zar.”
Dr James Wilson, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
“Dr James Wilson, was so down to earth. Easy to talk too and gave me honest advice regarding my lungs metastasis.”
Mr Fateh Raslan, Consultant Gynaecologist
“The team! Mr Fateh Raslan and his nursing team of Claudia, Anna and Gabriella were highly professional, compassionate and kind. I was so lucky to be in such capable and caring hands.”
London Medical
What's new at our outpatient and diabetes specialist centre located in Marylebone.
AXA patients at London Medical
Great news – London Medical can now see AXA patients!
Our AXA contract is now live, meaning AXA patients can be referred and booked into London Medical for their care.
This is a great step forward for London Medical, giving more patients access to our services and allowing us to provide the same high-quality care and experience across the centre.
Please share the good news with your teams and start referring and booking AXA patients into London Medical.
Consultant Engagement sessions
Building strong relationships with our consultants remains one of our highest priorities. We are keen to hear your feedback on the centre, opportunities for improvement and growth, and what is working well for you and your practice.
We'll be holding dedicated Consultant Engagement Drop-in Sessions on:
- Friday 25 September
These informal sessions are an opportunity to meet the London Medical leadership team, discuss your clinics, share ideas and feedback, and explore how we can continue to improve our services and support your practice.
Save the date: CPD
We are pleased to confirm our next CPD session:
Date: Thursday 22 October
Consultant: TBC
Topic: TBC
Further details will follow shortly, but please save the date in your diary. We look forward to welcoming you to another informative and engaging session at London Medical.
Basinghall Clinic
The latest updates from our outpatient diagnostic centre in the heart of the City.
Dermatology now live
We’re delighted to welcome Dermatology to Basinghall, with Consultant Siao Tan now providing clinics every Friday.
To refer a patient or enquire about availability, please contact [email protected].
Another fantastic CPD Mixer!
Our second Consultant CPD Mixer was a fantastic success, this time with a focus on MSK and Orthopaedics.
A huge thank you to all our speakers and everyone who joined us. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back for our next CPD Mixer in late November – more details coming soon!
Coming soon: Flexible cystoscopy
We’re continuing to expand our secondary care offering at Basinghall, with Flexible Cystoscopy the latest service coming to the centre.
We’re aiming to launch the service by the end of September, providing another convenient pathway for patients in the heart of the City.
More information on clinics and referrals coming soon.
We hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter. For queries, please contact [email protected].