Mr Paul Thiruchelvam

Written by a private patient at King Edward VII Hospital

It's taken me a while to write this review because I've found it difficult to put into words what Mr. Paul Thiruchelvam and his team at King Edward VII Hospital have done for me... and as a professional writer, that's tough to admit! A few months ago, I found a lump in my breast and asked my GP for a referral to a breast specialist. It turned out that the lump was just a cyst, but in the course of the investigation, another smaller cancer was discovered. Given its size and depth, it's unlikely I would have found the tumour on my own for some time; and the NHS wouldn't otherwise have caught it so early, as I don't yet qualify for routine mammograms. In the moment of diagnosis, I felt like the luckiest of unlucky people. I plodded along through the NHS system, but was concerned that things were being missed at my local hospital. I spent a lot of time poring over medical journals to be sure I was asking the right questions. That's when I decided to go to London for a second opinion from Mr. Thiruchelvam. Within minutes of meeting him, I knew he was the right surgeon for me. Although I had been diagnosed weeks earlier, he was the first person to explain in detail the characteristics of my breast cancer, and the treatment options available to me. I felt intense relief as I knew that whatever the future held, I'd be in excellent hands. I ended up having a lumpectomy, in addition to a mammoplasty (breast reduction and lift) on the non-cancerous side. The results are extraordinary. Mr. Thiruchelvam is both a surgeon and an artist. My margins were clean, and my lymph nodes are clear of cancer. I also look great. This may seem like an inconsequential concern when one is battling something as grave as cancer, but it is an important consideration, as the patient must live happily in their body after treatment is over. I am grateful that Mr. Thiruchelvam pays as much attention to aesthetics as he does to the surgical treatment of cancer. Like any practitioner, Mr. Thiruchelvam is only as good as the team around him. With this in mind, I'd like to mention his anaesthetist, Dr. Massimiliano Guglielmi, and the pain consultant, Dr. Matt Brown--both of whom ensured my surgery was as easy and painless as possible. Also, Mr. Thiruchelvam's two nurses, Ms. Helen Froyd and Ms. Amelia Cook, checked up on me constantly and took time to answer all my questions. And the radiologist Dr. Neil Upadhyay and his assistants, Fiona and Sara, helped compassionately with the mammograms and multiple biopsies, and always kept me chatting and laughing through what would otherwise have been a very scary experience. Last, but not least, I'd like to thank Mr. Thiruchelvam's PA, Ms. Michelle Wright, who shoehorned me into a complicated schedule and kept everything running smoothly and on time. I cannot recommend Mr. Thiruchelvam and his team enough to anyone who finds themselves an unwilling member of the "breast cancer club."

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Written by a NHS patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was incredibly impressed with the thoroughness and knowledge of Dr Paul Thiruchelvam and his standard of care and follow up was excellent His warm welcome and re-assuring manner made it so easy for me to talk to him and he was very open to any questions I had. He explained my situation very well and this enabled me to make the right decision . Highly recommended.

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Written by a NHS patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was very lucky to have Paul Thiruchelvam as my surgeon. He is experienced, skilled and reassuring. This was very reassuring with an underlying diagnosis of breast cancer requiring mammoplasty. I was able to discuss my concerns with him and he was open and honest in his responses. I would like to thank Paul and his team for their excellent care.

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Written by a private patient at King Edward VII Hospital

From the first time I met Mr Thiruchelvam at Charing Cross Hospital and all though the pre-operation period and the operation itself (which I opted to have as a private patient) the care I received from him was impeccable. He is very easy to talk to and told me what my options were, and what the surgery and treatment would involve, clearly and empathetically. Doctors with his level of communication skills are not all that common. He was patient and careful throughout the whole process and, post operatively. I was able to go home the same day, have not had to use strong painkillers and am recovering well. It is obvious that he is extremely interested in his work and also has research interests, which I found reassuring, and I completely trusted him. The whole team both at Charing Cross and the King Edward VII hospital were excellent as was Mr Thiruchelvam's practice manager who ensured the various appointments went to plan and was very helpful in following up minor issues. I think it is also significant that the other staff, at both hospitals clearly liked and respected him.

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Written by a private patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I have just completed breast cancer surgery with Mr Paul Thiruchelvam. My whole experience has been utterly amazing. After a rather daunting diagnosis in the NHS at Charing Cross Hospital, I telephoned Michelle (Paul's PA) on the same afternoon. From this point on I felt extremely well cared for. Michelle's efficient organisation of all my appointments meant that I did not, at any moment, feel panicked about being able to book all the scans, tests and surgery in as soon as possible. Amelia (Breast Nurse) has always been there, either on the phone, or at Edward VII, taking care of me, answering endless questions and calming any slight pre op nerves. Paul's approach to surgery was so thorough and considered that I felt extremely confident that I was in the best hands.

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