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Page 13 of 17
 
10th January 2019


Being scared of medical procedures is not a joke for anybody but having one whilst having this phobia is beyond anyone's believe ! I had a hernia for over ten years which started of at the size of a small hazelnut. Ten years on and it was the size of my fist. It was time......... Before i met David my plan was a one way ticket to his office but that changed the moment i shook his hand. He explained everything so well and just took my fears away. He was professional and calm,which was exactly what i needed. The date was set and that was it. I had my pre-operative assessment (with high blood pressure) very soon afterwards with the umbilical hernia repair date a week later. I met David just before the procedure and woke up hours later only to be faced by lovely nursing staff. David visited me once more to check up on me and gave me the all clear. TIME TO GET OUT OF HERE ! I had two follow up appointments with David and and was discharged. Thank you David for being so honest,straight forward,calm and professional.

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Written by a patient at Northampton General Hospital
26th December 2018


i went into NGH on 5/11/2018 for a parathroidectomy. I was seen by Mr Ratliff for all my appointment. He always took great care to explain everything and listen to any questions I might have. His care on the day of the operation and afterwards was excellant.

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21st December 2018


I had a Inguinal Hernia operation carried out by David and his team at Three Shires Northampton. It was performed by keyhole surgery, (no scares, amazing). I found David; efficient, direct & professional, answering my many questions, as this was my first ever operation. There was little pain afterwards & I have made a rapid recovery. I felt that I could call David and the team, any time, if I had wanted to. The extended team at Three Shires, all provided an excellent service, and worked very well with David Matthew Northampton

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14th December 2018


David is a brilliant surgeon who has operated on me several times. He is clear and precise with great attention to detail and the well-being of his patients. David has excellent communicative skills which puts you at ease from the moment you meet him. David is the consummate professional who I would highly recommend. Barry

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13th December 2018


Helpful and informative providing great care whilst undergoing a laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia.

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Page 13 of 17

Specialises in

  • General surgery
  • Vascular and Transplant Surgery

Profile

Mr David Ratliff
MB ChB, MD, FRCP, FRCS (Eng & Ed)
Consultant Surgeon
Specialises in
• General surgery
• Endocrine (thyroid and parathyroid) surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Vascular surgery
Areas of interest
• Laparoscopic inguinal hernia and sports hernia repair
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal by keyhole surgery)
• Hernia repairs of all types including inguinal, femoral, epigastric and umbilical hernia repair under GA and LA
• Thyroid nodule
• Goitre
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid surgery
• Parathyroid surgery
• Varicose vein treatments of all types, especially the Venefit procedure (keyhole surgery) and injection sclerotherapy
• Microsclerotherapy (cosmetic injection treatment) of spider and thread veins
• Vascular access including Portacath and Groshong line insertion
• Haemorrhoidectomy
• Excision of lumps and bumps
• Botox injection for axillary hyperhidrosis (excess sweating)
Treatments/Procedures
• Abscess, incision and drainage
• Anal fistula surgery
• Appendicectomy
• Botox injections for hyperhidrosis
• Central lymph node excision
• Cervical lymph node biopsy
• Duplex scan
• Epigastric hernia repair
• Excision of lumps and bumps
• Excision and primary closure of pilonidal sinus
• Excision of thyroglossal cyst
• Femoral hernia repair
• Fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules
• Groshong line, insertion
• Groshong line, removal
• Haemorrhoidectomy
• Hemi-thyroidectomy
• Incisional hernia repair
• Inguinal hernia repair, under general or local anaesthetic
• Injection of haemorrhoids
• Injection sclerotherapy of varicose veins
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• Laparoscopic division of adhesions
• Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair
• Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
• Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
• Lateral internal sphincterotomy for anal fissure
• Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy
• Open cholecystectomy
• Paraumbilical hernia repair
• Parathyroidectomy
• Partial thyroidectomy
• Portacath, insertion
• Portacath, removal
• Removal of benign skin lesions
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Sports hernia repair
• Surgery for pilonidal sinus
• Thyroid lobectomy
• Total thyroidectomy
• Umbilical hernia repair
• Venefit procedure (keyhole surgery, radiofrequency ablation) for varicose veins
• Varicose vein surgery of all types, including for recurrent varicose veins
Current consultant NHS hospital held
• Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Year qualified
• 1977
Qualifications
• MB ChB University of Birmingham 1977
• MRCP Royal College of Physicians 1980
• FRCS Royal College of Surgeons 1982
• FRCS Ed Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 1982
• MD University of Birmingham 1985
• FRCP Royal College of Physicians 2001
Additional training
• Fellow in Vascular Surgery University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1990-91
Details of entry to Specialist Register
• General Surgery, 1991
Affiliations / memberships
• Royal College of Surgeons of England
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Physicians
• British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons
• Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland
About me
David Ratliff is a very experienced general, endocrine, laparoscopic and vascular surgeon with over 27 years experience as a consultant in these fields. He was initially a consultant at the Leicester Royal Infirmary from 1991-94 and then moved to Northampton where he has been working at the Northampton General (NGH) and BMI Three Shires Hospitals since 1994.
During his career David has led the progressive development and delivery of the general, endocrine and vascular surgical services in Northampton as high quality services with very good outcomes and a national reputation for clinical excellence.
He has extensive experience in managing all general surgical conditions including hernias, gallbladder disease, anorectal problems including haemorrhoids and anal fissure, abdominal pain, pilonidal sinus and removal of lumps and bumps. He is an expert in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and hernia repairs of all types.
David is a high volume endocrine surgeon, carrying out surgery for benign thyroid disease, thyroid cancer and parathyroid surgery with excellent results and an activity in the top 10-15% procedures nationally. He is a leading specialist in the management of thyroid cancer.
He has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of all vascular problems including circulatory and venous conditions. He is an expert in the treatment of varicose veins by keyhole surgery and injection sclerotherapy, and also of spider and thread veins. He has wide experience in vascular access and the insertion of portacaths and central lines for chemotherapy.
He led the vascular service at NGH for over 20 years, introducing a wide range of new procedures and the latest technology and techniques. This resulted in major improvements and the formation of the Northamptonshire Vascular Service in 2012 with Northampton as the vascular centre.
David has maintained a strong commitment to high professional standards and continuing professional development with up-to-date specialist knowledge throughout his career. He was an Examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons and Intercollegiate Specialty Board in General Surgery for 16 years and Clinical Director of the Department of Surgery at NGH from 2001-2005. He has also maintained an active interest in clinical research and has been the author of over 35 publications.
He was awarded a National Silver Award for Clinical Excellence in 2008 and before that a National Bronze Award for Clinical Excellence in 2004.
David’s approach is very professional and patient-focussed. He communicates well and keeps you fully informed and involved in decision making at every stage. He concentrates his considerable knowledge and experience to offer you his opinion and expert treatment, based on your needs and requirements. His primary objective is to provide his patients with the best possible outcomes for their problems.
Professional bodies (positions held - last 3 yrs)
• Examiner, Intercollegiate Specialty Board in General Surgery, 2013-2017
• Chair, East Midlands Thyroid Cancer Sub-Group, 2010-2013
Research interests
• Endocrine surgery
• General surgery
• Vascular surgery
Personal interests
I am married with two children. As well as spending time with my family I enjoy tennis, skiing, sailing and travel.
Awards received
David was awarded a National Silver Award for Clinical Excellence in 2008 and a National Bronze Award for Clinical Excellence in 2004.