Reviews
After being diagnosed with Breast cancer in 2015 and having undergone several rounds of surgery including a mastectomy, I was incredibly fortunate to find myself under the care of Mr Birch for the reconstructive phase of my treatment. From my initial consultation with Mr Birch in the summer of 2016 to my most recent last week, Mr Birch has always exuded incredible caring, sensitivity, confidence and calmness, qualities I desperately needed through what was the worst three years of my life both emotionally and physically.
In every appointment, which always ran on time, Mr Birch always ensured I was happy with any decisions made and never once did I feel rushed into making any decision about my care. This was incredibly important when I was found to carry a BRCA2 mutation and had to decide to remove the healthy breast or not. Mr Birch provided me with all the information I needed as to what he could accomplish with whatever decision I made. I feel completely safe and confident in his care and have never once doubted his abilities.
After deciding on the prophylactic removal of my remaining breast, Mr Birch and his team reconstructed both of my breasts using the Diep Flap method. Mr Birch’s care before, during and after the surgery was exceptional ensuring I was receiving the care I needed to recover whilst in hospital. Anything amiss and Mr Birch was on the case and sorted things out promptly. Just two months ago, Mr Birch completed my transformation by reconstructing my nipples and for the first time in three years, I am once again confident with my appearance and at 52, that is an important part of my emotional recovery after a cancer diagnosis.
I have been under the care Mr Birch both through the NHS and privately, and I always feel complete trust in his abilities as a plastic surgeon. The NHS is incredibly fortunate to have Mr Birch on their roster and I am incredibly fortunate to have Mr Birch as my consultant.
Mr Birch took over my care a couple of years ago after I needed a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
He has always made me feel very confident and happy with the decisions we have made concerning all elements of my reconstruction and care.
He is a very sensitive caring man, who was able to make me feel safe and cared for whether I was having major surgery under general anethsetic or at outpatients under local.
This has been an incredibly long and sometimes very frightening jounery I am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after 4 years.My journey has been made easier and less stressful by the outstanding care I have always received from Mr Birch.
Thank you
M J Watson
Melanoma left abdomen, wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy.
I underwent the above procedure during August 2016, carried out by Mr Jeremy Birch and his team in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the West Wing of the John Radcliffe Hospital.
From my initial appointment with Mr Birch it was clear to me that in addition to his very pleasant and professional manner that he ran a 'very tight ship', examples of this being as follows:-
Contact with his PA was always clear and very helpful, with promised return telephone call always on time.
Receptionists always in excellent communication with the appropriate consultant. Early arrival for an appointment in my case usually meant being seen well ahead of the scheduled time!
Post operation appointments were carried out in the same efficient and pleasant manner, what a joy for a patient with 'white coat' syndrome.
Throughout my brief stay in the West Wing my experience with those of Mr Birch's medical team that attended me I have nothing but the highest praise. A great team effort and a great team boss!!
In conclusion I cannot praise Mr Birch and his team highly enough and would recommend them without hesitation
It came as a shock when Mr Birch explained that my "thumb infection" was actually a tumour; the inevitable amputation which followed, and the dissection to remove the armpit lymph-nodes, was expertly carried out. Mr Birch was matter-of-fact yet also reassuring; friendly and personable yet never patronising. He knew what he was aiming for and exactly how to achieve it. There was at all times a really human side to his style. I felt at ease and very comfortable in his care.
I have just one constructive suggestion, which has nothing to do with Mr Birch, but concerns my overnight stays in hospital after the two separate operations. Some of the nurses spoke rather limited English, and confusion could have occurred. This is not, I stress, a comment on their commitment or care which were of a high order.
Mr Birch and his team have rebuilt me twice following two separate bouts of breast cancer. The first time, I was so frightened and his calm understanding manner helped me through. The second time I was so much more able to deal with the diagnosis thanks to my first experience. I cannot thank Mr Birch and all of his team enough. There is nothing I can complain about. The support all the way through was exemplary, and my husband echoes all my comments, as he was also given support and guidance .
Specialises in
- Plastic surgery
Profile
Mr Jeremy Birch is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in both the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.
He graduated from Bristol University Medical School in 1993. After completing his general surgical training he took up a post at the University of Leicester under Professor Sir Peter Bell researching advanced microsurgical techniques.
Having completed a Doctorate in microsurgery he went on to specialise in plastic surgery. His training was undertaken at Salisbury District Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals and the Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. He took up his Consultant Post at the John Radcliffe Hospital in 2008.
During this time he has trained alongside some of the country's foremost Plastic surgeons. He has a specialist interest in Breast surgery including reconstruction and breast reshaping.
Other areas of specialisation include the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant skin lesions, for which he is a member of the Skin Multidisciplinary Teams in both Oxford and Swindon.