General Surgery

The General Surgery department based at Sandwell Hospital deals with conditions of the stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines and other vital organs in the abdomen (belly). There are 14 surgeons in the team, each with specialist knowledge and experience. Many of the procedures carried out by the team are Day Surgery cases.

Adults and children with abdominal problems are dealt with either through routine outpatient appointments, or if necessary by emergency procedure. The department offers a comprehensive service from initial assessment through to surgery, medication or counseling. We also operate a 2-week fast-track system for any GP-referred patients with cancer symptoms.

The department also carries out breast surgery at Birmingham Treatment Centre.

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Team

Consultant surgeons

Colorectal
Mr Misra Budhoo
Miss Kathryn Gill
Mr Howard Joy
Mr Rajeev Peravali
Mr Vijay Thumbe
Mr Andrew Torrance
Mr Raj Mankotia (locum)
Mr Christopher Thompson
Mr Anil George

Upper Gastro-intestinal
Mr Dham Mobarak
Mr Yogesh Kumar

General Surgery
Mr Mohammed Hanif (locum)
Mr Muhammad Jalilullah (locum)

Breast
Mrs Luna Vishwanath
Miss Fiona Hoar
Mr Mehboob Mirza
Mr Martin Sintler

Specialist Nurses 

Colorectal
Mandie Ballentine (Macmillan)
Sara Connor (Macmillan)
Jodie Pedley
Joelle La Caille

Upper Gastro-intestinal
Kath Johnson
Jo Harvey

Breast
Marcia Berry
Amanda Jones
Geraldine Sheridan
Sue Frost
Helen Taylor

Services

The general surgery team treats many abdominal conditions, and offers several clinics. The team also carries out endoscopy services (using a tiny video camera on a thin, flexible tube to see inside the body).

The team provides planned and acute surgical procedures in the following areas:

Colorectal Surgery
Colorectal surgery deals with conditions in the lower gastro-intestinal tract. This consists of the colon (large intestine) and the rectum (back passage). Surgeons deal with conditions that are benign (harmless lumps, piles, obstructions) or malignant (cancerous). Conditions treated also include fissures, fistulas, colitis, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery. Instead of creating a large opening during surgery, a much smaller incision is made. Surgeons use state-of-the-art instruments used to complete the procedure. Some procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic (while patients are awake). Patients benefit from smaller scars, a quicker recovery and shorter stays in hospital.

Specialist clinics provided are:

• Rectal clinics – for all rectal and colonic symptoms, and urgent referrals
• Pelvic floor and functional bowel clinic – for disorders of the bowel and evacuation problems
• Anal physiology clinic – problems with defecation
• Stoma clinics – provided by a specialist nursing team for patients with colostomies

Upper GI Surgery
The upper gastro-intestinal tract includes the oesophagus (the food tube which links the throat to the stomach), the stomach itself, duodenum and pancreas. The team deals with benign (non-cancerous) disorders like ulcers, hyperacidity and anti-reflux surgery. Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery.

General Surgery
General surgery deals with conditions of the gall bladder, such as gallstones or complete removal, and stones in the bile duct. The team also treats various forms of hernia (a tear in the muscles of the belly) in either the groin or abdomen. Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery.

Emergency Surgery
The General Surgery team carries out acute surgical procedures for all conditions affecting the abdomen.  The most common are conditions of the appendix, or ulcer perforations in the stomach or duodenum. The team also deals with emergency procedures for the gall bladder, along with perforation or obstruction of the colon or small intestine.

Lyndon 2 at Sandwell is a ward dedicated to such emergency procedures, with highly skilled and experienced nursing and support staff.

Paediatric Surgery
Children aged 2 to 16 who need surgery for hernias, undescended testes, circumcision, tongue tie division or minor skin lumps are seen and operated on at Sandwell Hospital and at the Birmingham Treatment Centre.

Breast Surgery
The Breast Unit is located in a dedicated clinic at Birmingham Treatment Centre. The Team consists of general and specialist surgeons, nurses, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and plastic surgeons.

We hold Rapid Access Clinics on three mornings per week for assessing urgent and routine breast conditions. We also hold family history clinics where women are seen and assessed to ascertain if there is a family history of breast cancer which would increase their own risk of developing the disease.

We also have a team of breast care nurses who provide counseling and support to patients who are either suspected of, or confirmed with, having the disease.

Patient Stories

Please feel free to share your experiences of this service. Please e-mail your views to swbh.comms@nhs.net

Patient Information

Colorectal patient information leaflets
Colostomy irrigation

Colorectal Specialist Nursing Service

Contacts

Consultants may be contacted via their secretaries by either calling the switchboard on 0121 507 1831 or on the numbers below:

Secretary Wendy Blackford 0121 507 3393
Mr Howard Joy
Mr Misra Budhoo

Secretary Michelle Hadley on 0121 507 3968
Mr Mohammed Hanif
Mr Rajnish Mankotia

Secretary Jane Jones 0121 5073459
Mr Vijay Thumbe
Mr Yogesh Kumar

Secretary Lisa Carter on 0121 507 3149
Mr Andrew Torrance

Secretary Elizabeth Kirk 0121 507 3133
Miss Kathryn Gill
Mr Rajeev Peravali

Secretary Jayne Vaughan 0121 507 3394
Mr Dham Mobarak
Mr Christopher Thompson

Secretary Lesley Jordan 0121 507 3226
Mr Anil George
Mr Muhammad Jalilullah (locum)