Reviews
Recommend
Trust
Listening
Mr Simon M Higgs
2018-12-14
Person
5
5
0
14th December 2018
A delightful gentleman with a real sense of humour, who gave the impression that he had all the time in the world to answer any questions. I felt very confident with the way he dealt with my situation. Everything went very smoothly and I recovered quickly, no doubt due to his expertise.
I only have one comment and this refers to the Nuffield Hospital ‘package’ which included one night in hospital. As I am now in my late eighties I would have appreciated a 2 night stay.
Mr Simon M Higgs
2018-12-14
Person
5
5
0
14th December 2018
A charming gentleman with delightful sense of humour. Gave the impression of having all the time in the world to answer questions and explain the procedure. I felt totally confident that the procedure was in safe hands. All went according to plan and I recovered very quickly no doubt due to feeling secure and happy in his care.
My only comment concerns the Nuffield package which included one night in hospital.
Now in my late eighties I would have been happier with 2 nights rather than one, though I appreciate that the trend today is for as short a time in hospital as possible.
Mr Simon M Higgs
2018-12-14
Person
5
5
0
14th December 2018
This was the best experience it could be. I felt listened to and understood, and was supremely confident in Mr. Higgs abilities putting me at absolute ease.
The only challenge was in finding the slot for surgery. In this respect the medical secretary failed to respond or acknowledge emails and had limited communication even when called. Can’t fault the surgeon but would suggest patient care should extend to the supporting staff as well.
14th December 2018
Response from Mr Simon M Higgs
Thanks very much for your review. I completely agree that all aspects should be as perfect as possible an I will try and address this. Happy Christmas
Mr Simon M Higgs
2018-12-14
Person
5
5
0
14th December 2018
Great experience with no drama felt very much at ease during the whole process
Mr Simon M Higgs
2018-11-22
Person
5
5
0
22nd November 2018
Mr Higgs was very helpful in answering all my various questions following on from.my procedure. He also carefully explained about my condition, talking me through the imagea taken and provided reassuriance around the likelihood of it progressing into anything more serious.
Specialises in
- General surgery
Profile
Originally from the North East of England, Mr Higgs studied medicine at Bristol University with pre-registration house jobs spent in Taunton and Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. He spent a year in Perth Western Australia gaining experience in Emergency Medicine and a variety of surgical disciplines.
Basic surgical training rotation was in Exeter where he cut his teeth in the operating theatre and developed a fascination for upper GI surgery particularly oesophageal cancer surgery and anti-reflux surgery.
He studied under Professor Derek Alderson and Miss Sally Norton in Bristol for a 2 year period of research investigating the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), EUS-guided biopsy and application of sentinel node theory in the management of oesophageal cancer. His research was presented at National and International meetings and was awarded a best trainee presentation prize at ISDE in Adelaide and BJS prize runner up at AUGIS in Dublin.
His higher surgical training was spent throughout the South-West of England gaining experience in the full breadth of general and upper Gastro-Intestinal surgery. This rotation included significant periods of training in all the oesophagogastric and bariatric units in the South West where he consolidated his surgical skills becoming expert in minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced endoscopy.
After successfully becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2010 and completing his higher surgical training in 2011, Mr Higgs was appointed as a Consultant General, Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon to Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust. He has been the clinical lead for The Three Counties OesophagoGastric Centre for 6 years and is now also the cancer and MDT lead. He has developed the endoscopic ultrasound service and introduced enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for oesophagectomy improving clinical outcomes and reducing length of stay.
His main surgical interests lie in minimally invasive surgical techniques especially related to oesophageal and gastric cancer, reflux disease, giant hiatal hernia, gallstones, bile duct stones and achalasia. He remains dedicated to improving surgical outcomes with the use of enhanced recovery pathways.
Education of surgeons of the future is extremely important and Mr Higgs was honoured to be nominated as trainer of the year by his trainees in 2017 and 2018.
Cotswold GI @ Imperial Medical Group is Mr Higgs’ private practice based at Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital offering outpatient and inpatient services mirroring his NHS practice. Endoscopic ultrasound is offered privately at Gloucester Royal Hospital along with surgery for those patients with more complex medical needs or those who need critical care facilities post-operatively.