Martin Kurzer

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

My inguinal hernia appeared in the first quarter of 2018 after lifting something extremely heavy. Through internet googling for hernia surgeons I noticed Mr. Martin Kurzer’s name and was impressed by the high praise in the “IWantGreatCare” reviews. Being a bit of a wimp concerning medical matters it took me more than a year before actually making an appointment to see Mr. Kurzer. On hindsight I shouldn’t have waited… what a lovely human being and very competent surgeon. Martin Kurzer has the ability to make one feel completely at ease from the moment one meets him as well as at the critical moment before surgery. He explains all the various options and answers all your questions. I was the first one in theatre that morning and after a light lunch was able to walk away from my room without needing any painkillers at all. One month later I can hardly see the incision scar so also visually a great job. The whole experience from intake to discharge was smooth and comforting and I cannot thank Martin Kurzer and his lovely team enough. Undoubtedly this is the man to see when having hernia problems.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

My right inguinal hernia was diagnosed in July this year and I wanted the repair to be done sooner rather than later. I am 65 years old and lead a very active life and wanted to continue doing so without the hernia being an impediment. My search for a surgeon was brief as I was strongly recommended Martin Kurzer by a good friend, a physician, who had had similar surgery done by Mr Kurzer a couple of years ago. The recommendation was ‘look no further, he is the best’ and this certainly proved to be so. At the initial consultation all my concerns and fears were laid to rest. Martin’s manner, approach and listening skills were impeccable, putting me at ease and giving me much confidence that I will be well taken care of. I had no hesitation in booking the date for my surgery straight away. The surgery was a month or so later, in September. I had never undergone surgery under general anaesthetic before and I approached the day with much trepidation. I was very impressed with my experience at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. I was a day patient, as I was operated on very early in the morning. The room, the care by nursing and other staff, the anaesthetist and all other medical professionals were absolutely excellent. Martin came to see me in my room prior to surgery and once again his manner and approach gave me the confidence boost I needed that morning. Everything went smoothly. The anaesthetic worked really well for me. I was comfortable after surgery, had a light lunch in my room and Martin came around to see me again mid-afternoon and discharged me. Once again, he patiently answered all my questions about post-operative issues. Martin has the unique quality of being a very ‘human’ human being! I had been well briefed on post-operative symptoms and management of issues. In the weeks that followed whenever I had a concern or needed advice I would message Martin and he always responded promptly and with kindness. This is over and above one would expect from your surgeon. My wound healed beautifully and nearly two months on I am returning to normality with the common sense approach which Martin repeats, listen to your body and no harm will happen. I have also had a post-surgery consultation with Martin, part of the package. To those of you considering a hernia repair I would say, do not postpone it. Your quality of life will improve immediately. The procedure is safe and most of all you will be in the best hands available - those of Martin Kurzer.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Having experienced symptoms of recurrence (and other discomfort) within four months of my first inguinal hernia repair, I wanted to see a specialist this time. Mr. Kurzer lives up to his reputation. Accommodating my consultation and surgery while we were visiting family in the UK, he patiently addressed my detailed questions and concerns and was clearly preoccupied with doing his job well and with my best interests. A couple of weeks after my operation, the outcome seems as good as I could have hoped for. During our initial consultation, Mr. Kurzer quickly spotted an omission in my previous operating notes that later proved relevant and took as long as needed to assess my condition and discuss options. His proposal to re-open the previous incision in my particular case is looking like a good decision that allowed the problem to be identified and resolved properly. Despite certain risks inherent in such repeat surgery, he was able to achieve this without accidental damage and even the cosmetics are looking better than my old scar. Post-operative pain and weakness were considerably less than after my first surgery, allowing me to go for a gentle 2-mile walk after just 4 days. Mr. Kurzer has since been in contact to check on me, but so far I have been healing well. St. John's & St. Elizabeth's, where Mr. Kurzer is based, is a pleasant, well-run hospital with helpful staff, spotless facilities, decent meals and reasonable, transparent charges, all while making enough income to support its charitable hospice. If you look at the regulator's Web page (cqc.org.uk), you can see that its assessment compares favourably with other hospitals that host specialist hernia services. I was rather impressed by their operation. Overall, I'm very happy to have found Mr. Kurzer and this hospital, giving me a second chance at a good outcome.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I feel very fortunate indeed to have found Martin Kurzer who repaired my epigastric hernia. My first impressions of Martin at my consultation were: this man is 'human' with refreshing candour', extremely knowledgeable and very professional. I find 'being human' a very important element for me when I have to deal with any professional in the 'medical world'. Martin has this in abundance. He explained clearly and comprehensively, what I had and what he could do for me, and took great pains to make sure I understood exactly what he was saying. He listened and answered all my questions. The treatment I received at the Hospital where this took place was revelatory. I was included in every step of the process and accorded the utmost of Nursing care and attention from start to finish from all quarters (Martin and his team, Nursing staff, HCA's. catering, porters etc). As a day patient, I was up and about two or so hours later (I was the 1st that day) and left the Hospital at lunchtime. I'm a foodie. If I have to complain at all, it would be about the food, "does a sandwich" have to be refridgeration 'cold'. I felt no adverse effects whatsoever from the local aneathestic. The 'sedation' beforehand knocked me out completely. I walked home from the tube station. I knew what to expect re: post operative symptoms, having been given information on this beforehand. Personally I experinced very little. Mainly discomfort and awareness of the 'area', rather than any direct pain. I have not had to take any heavy duty painkillers at all. I have a 'dainty' scar which you can hardly see and have been up and about everysince. Day 10 now. I am taking it relatively easy (as perscribed). I have been doing a lot of gentle, daily walking. I don't anticipate any difficulties further down the line. And expect to be up and cycling and everything else, very soon. I feel secure in the knowledge that, if there were any problems, I could contact Martin immediately. I would direct anyone with a hernia, without hesitation, to Martins door!

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I recently had an open repair of an umbilical hernia, under general anaesthetic, by Martin Kurzer. I had absolutely amazing treatment from beginning to end. I am a 69 year old doctor, still working full-time in hospital. My local surgeons are all excellent but I prefer the anonymity of going to hospital where I'm not known if I require any surgical treatment. It was immediately apparent during my first consultation that Martin is that rare combination of a kind, compassionate, excellent communicator as well as a first-class surgeon. Everything was explained perfectly to me.The date of the operation was brought forward at my request by his highly efficient secretary, Margaret. All my dealings with her were also first class. All of the staff with whom I came into contact at the St John and Elizabeth Hospital were excellent and I felt I was in very capable hands. I stayed overnight as the operation was late afternoon under general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist, whose name I'm afraid I forget, was excellent. I had absolutely no untoward effects from the general anaesthetic. Martin came to see me the following morning and I was discharged with a full explanation of post-operative care. I would like to pay special tribute to the nursing staff, all of whom were extremely competent and a pleasure to be with. My room was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. I suppose if I was to be picky, the menu for the evening meal was perhaps a bit limited and there was no wine list! This is probably, though, because most of the patients are day cases there and, embarrassingly, it was only as I looked at the post-operative instructions the following evening in my favourite Italian restaurant (Enoteca Turi) on my third glass of wine that I remembered I was not supposed to have had any alcohol for 24-hours following the GA! Anyway, regardless, I suffered no ill effects! I didn't require any analgesia following the operation and two weeks down the line feel absolutely 100% fit. I cannot recommend Martin Kurzer highly enough. He is an outstanding surgeon and his team are equally as excellent.

Recommend

Trust

Listening