Mr Erlick Pereira

Written by a patient at The London Clinic

Mr Pereira was professional, courteous and informative about my procedure and I would not hesitate to recommend him to other patients as an excellent surgeon

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Written by a patient at St George's Hospital

I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in August 2012 while living in Bangalore, India. I was treated in Columbia Asia Hospital and by a Parkinson’s specialist, Dr Uday Muthane. After retiring to UK in August 2014, I was referred to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. In 2017, I was referred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting to consider my suitability for brain surgery. At this stage I had the following symptoms: • Tremors of the left arm and leg. • My left arm hung without swinging naturally as I walked. • My mouth had tremors on the left side. • My speech was slurred. • I had only slight stiffness of the joints. • I was not confident in company because of my condition. At St George’s I had physical and psychological tests to determine my suitability for brain surgery. Mr Periera’s team considered my suitability for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery or thalamotomy brain surgery. DBS comprises a 5 hour operation in which 4 electrodes are permanently drilled into the brain. Later a battery is implanted and a portable programmer supplied so that charges can be adjusted to best minimize the symptoms. Thalatomy is an older procedure in which a single electrode is temporally installed in the brain. In a half-hour operation, the electrode is charged and a lesion made. Thalamotomy is suitable where the symptoms are on one side of the body only. DBS is not normally used for patients older than 70 years of age because of the higher risks caused in particular by the longer duration of the operation. Mr Periera and his team showed great patience and sympathy in arranging extra meetings to allay my concerns that I was not receiving the most up-to-date treatment. The operation was a great success. Not only did the tremors in my left arm and leg completely disappear but so did the tremors in my mouth. My left arm returned to swinging naturally. Although my speech was not expected to improve appreciably, it has noticeably improved. My confidence has returned. Mr Periera and his team attended me diligently after the operation and I was discharged from hospital within a couple of days. I am very grateful for the treatment which I received under Mr Periera.

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Written by a patient at The London Clinic

I was referred to Mr Pereira by Mr John Sutcliffe at the London Spine Clinic. My back pain had reached a level where my legs went numb after walking 100m. This was having a serious impact on just about everything I did. I met Mr Pereira before my operation when he explained what was wrong in a clear manner. His friendly and professional approach immediately put my mind at rest and gave me confidence in his ability to sort out my problem. I went in to the London Clinic on Oct 10th 2017. The whole experience was so much better than I thought it was going to be. Bearing in mind the seriousness of the surgery I was facing, the whole team were marvelous. They were friendly informative and professional at all times and put my mind at rest. The hospital was comfortable and the food excellent. Unlike other experiences I have had in hospitals, everybody did their jobs without fuss, keeping me fully informed and ensured that I remained comfortable and relaxed. The operation went well to free the trapped nerves as far as I was concerned, although I was aware that the nerves were more seriously compressed than first anticipated. I also had to spend an extra 24hrs horizontal in hospital, due to a cerebral spinal fluid leak occurring during the surgery. I was still up and walking in approx 30hrs from the operation and home on the 12th Oct. The care and attention I received was excellent at all times. Unfortunately after a couple of weeks it became clear that my recovery was not proceeding as well as hoped. Following a further consultation with Mr Sutcliffe and a further HD MRI, it became apparent that some of my nerves were still being compressed, by the calcification that had built up in my spine over many years. Mr Pereira reviewed the MRI and recommended further surgery to decompress the affected nerves. I went back in to the London Clinic on 19th Dec 2017 for another 3+ hr operation. Once again the whole team were fantastic. Mr Pereira did a wonderful job freeing up the compressed nerves and despite having to go in through the same wound, which had barely had time to heal, left me virtually without a scar. I had no adverse after effects from the general anaesthetic on either occasion, due to the great care received from Mr Peter Amoroso, who very kindly kept my wife and daughter informed of progress whilst I was in surgery. This meant a tremendous amount to us both as this was a very worrying time for the whole family. I was able to return home the next day and my walking has returned to near normal. I realise that it will take some time to get back to full strength and mobility due to the effects of the operation(s) on my back muscles, but life has already returned to near normal and most importantly I am able to ride my Harley again. My sincere thanks go to the whole team, especially Mr Pereira, Mr Sutcliffe and Mr Amoroso. My experience was perhaps a little more prolonged and difficult than initially hoped due to the complexity of my particular problem, however I would not hesitate to recommend any one with back trouble to go to the London Spine Clinic. You can be sure of the best possible care.

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Written by a patient at St George's Hospital

Excellent care throughout.

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Written by a patient at St George's Hospital

I have nothing but praise for Mr Pereira. Totally professional in his approach and with the natural ability to communicate complex issues in a simple and easily understood way. My operation was to relieve trapped nerves that was causing unbearable pain in my shoulder and arm. On the day of my operation Mr Pereira explained the procedure and made sure I understood what was going to happen. In recovery I understand he saw me but I don’t actually have a recollection of this. He also spoke to my wife to explain the procedure and it’s outcome. Today, three months later, was my follow up appointment with him. Again Mr Pereira presented in exactly the same manner taking time to answer questions I had about the operation. However I was extremely annoyed and frustrated by the receptionist I saw on arrival to the neurosurgical outpatients department. My appointment was for 9am. My wife and I arrived some 45 minutes early and at 8.30am my Appointments letter was checked by a member of staff and I was told that I would be seeing Mr Pereira and to take a seat. At 9.20am I asked the lady on the reception desk when I was likely to see Mr Pereira and was told he had just arrived so it won’t be long. At 9.30am Mr Pereira called for another outpatient to see him at which point I returned to the reception to ask why somebody else was seeing him first since I had the earlier appointment time!! It was then that I was told that the receptionist who booked me in at 8.30am HADN’T ticked my name on Mr Pereira’s list so it appeared on paper that I hadn’t bothered to turn up for my appointment!!! It also explains why I heard Mr Pereira saying that he couldn’t wait any longer for his first patient ( that of course was me) and he was drafting a letter to my GP to advise I hadn’t shown up. It beggars belief the consequences of the action of the receptionist I first saw!! The oversight by this receptionist borders on patient neglect and it was just as well I challenged what I saw happening to enable me to see Mr Pereira and to have my follow up appointment. What a contrast In professionalism... An excellent consultant A total shambles in reception For heaven sakes sort this mess out for the sake of other patients. Regards Philip Divers

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