Mr Dip Mukherjee ( Dipankar Mukhopadhyay) 2017-02-10 Person 5 5 0

In May 2016 I was admitted to Queen's hospital in Romford Essex for a laparoscopic repair of a giant para oesophageal hiatus hernia, an operation carried out by the surgeon Mr D. Mukherjee. Up until the time of the operation I was experiencing difficulties with breathing due to the constriction in my chest and was unable to walk more than a few yards without stopping to catch my breath. I had problems with swallowing food and drink. I slept propped upright at night due to severe acid reflux and had a continuous burning in my nose and throat due to reflux as well as a constant taste in my mouth of vomit - all very distressing symptoms. When I saw Mr Mukherjee initially to discuss my troubling symptoms I was very anxious but I was very quickly put at ease by Mr Mukherjee's careful explanation of what the problem was and what could be done to restore my health. He is an excellent 'people-person' with the ability to make his patient feel involved in the process of understanding what has been happening and what needs to be done without increasing patient anxiety. I came away from the consultation feeling positive and hopeful and much less anxious. The care that I recieved at Queens Hospital during and after the operation was magnificent. The Day staff on the ward (Ocean A) were excellent, hard working, attentive, supportive. My only reservation was with the night staff who, when I reported an unusual and disturbing heart rate told me to keep calm and go back to sleep. This was checked on the following day and found to be atrial fibrillation. Mr Mukherjee and members of his team were in constant attendance until I was discharged at the end of four days. Mr Mukherjee also arranged for immediate follow-up appointments for the first month of my recovery. Since the operation I have been able to walk good distances with no problems at all as well as to swim, sleep flat and eat a healthy diet. I cannot praise Mr Mukherjee highly enough as well as the care received from the nursing staff. My thanks and good wishes go to him, his team and the nursing staff that have brought me back to a healthy life. Maureen Mckenzie.