Choosing a colorectal surgeon in London, what to look for

Choosing a surgeon is one of the most important decisions a patient can make, and it is one that deserves careful thought. If you are looking for a colorectal surgeon in London, here is my honest guide to what matters, and what questions are worth asking.

Specialist training and fellowship

General surgical training alone does not make a colorectal specialist. Look for a surgeon who has completed dedicated subspecialty training in colorectal surgery, ideally at a recognised centre of excellence. Fellowship training at institutions such as St Mark's Hospital, one of the world's leading centres for colorectal and intestinal disease, provides a depth of experience that goes significantly beyond standard training.

Robotic and minimally invasive expertise

Robotic surgery is increasingly regarded as the gold standard for many colorectal procedures, particularly rectal surgery and complex bowel resections. Not all colorectal surgeons are trained in robotic techniques. If minimally invasive surgery is relevant to your condition, asking specifically about robotic experience, and which platform the surgeon uses, is a reasonable and important question. Multi-platform training on the da Vinci Xi and da Vinci 5 is a marker of up-to-date expertise.

NHS consultant status

Working as an NHS consultant surgeon alongside private practice is an important indicator of peer credibility. NHS consultant posts are highly competitive, and holding one means that the surgeon's skills and standards have been assessed and validated through a rigorous process. A surgeon who practises exclusively privately, without an NHS appointment, has not necessarily undergone the same level of peer scrutiny.

Research and academic activity

A surgeon who is active in research, publishes in peer-reviewed journals, and presents at national and international conferences is one who remains at the cutting edge of their specialty. Academic activity is a reasonable proxy for intellectual rigour and commitment to evidence-based practice.

Patient reviews

Patient reviews on platforms such as Doctify, Top Doctors, and iWantGreatCare provide genuine feedback from people who have been through the same process you are considering. Look for consistency across multiple reviews rather than focusing on individual comments, and pay attention to what patients say about communication and aftercare as well as the clinical outcome.

About Mr Najib Daulatzai

I am a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with private practice at Spire Bushey Hospital, HCA The Wellington Hospital, and HCA Golders Green Outpatients. I trained at St Mark's Hospital London and Frimley Park Hospital, hold an MD research degree from Imperial College London, and am multi-platform trained in robotic surgery on the da Vinci Xi and da Vinci 5. I would be delighted to see you for a consultation.