Mr Marcus Bankes 2018-04-24 Person 5 5 0

Marcus Bankes is a remarkably gifted surgeon and a wonderful person. I came to him in desperation after a failed scope and years of hip instability, and he was the first doctor to say, "I know what's causing your pain, and I can fix it." I presented with what was apparently a somewhat complicated case, but he didn't shy away as multiple other specialists had done. Instead, he was remarkably kind and empathic throughout the entire process, especially including aftercare (I had unavoidable complications post-operatively, and throughout the months of my recovery he repeatedly took the initiative to actually call my physical therapists and my other medical specialists to touch base with them). One physio told me it was incredibly unusual for an orthopaedic surgeon to recognize the importance of the physios' work in surgical rehab; by Bankes conveying that he was personally monitoring my recovery, I'm certain my rehab team were doubly attentive as a result. He never rushed me or my partner out of my appointments, always answering all our many questions and (something I found refreshingly helpful) admitting when he didn't have an answer instead of blustering on topics outside his expertise. I was in hospital after my PAO for a week and he came to check on me every one of those days. Each email I've ever sent has been answered by his team or by a phone call from himself within a matter of hours -- no exaggeration. He personally arranged a same-week and even a same-day appointment with two specialists for me. That's an A+ on the professionalism side. It doesn't get any better. In terms of his surgical ability, his reputation is internationally recognized; he was recommended to me by a surgeon in the US. He's precise and careful, which is what you want in somebody doing such a large operation. The nurses and physios in the hospital all repeatedly used the word "perfectionist" to describe him, and I could tell they meant it as a compliment. (I could also tell they liked and respected him, which I believe says a lot.) He's not one to let fellows or residents stitch up wounds for "practice": I'm 8 months post-op and you can barely see my scar (in fact, I wouldn't have minded it being a *little* more visible. It's not much of a testament to all I went through, ha). Last point: personality. This shouldn't matter, but it really does -- and Bankes has a caring bedside manner. He's kind, funny, warm, perhaps a little goofy even. It doesn't come across as rote, but rather as empathic. And that's a big part of why he's a great doctor. Summary: Bankes sets the bar as high as it goes. He's helped me get my life back. I recommend him without reservation.