FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get referred?
You can be referred to see Mr Ahmed in a variety of ways. The most common method is by asking your general practitioner to refer you. You can also be referred by another healthcare professional such as another consultant, a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropracter. However please be aware that your insurance company may require a referral letter from your general practitioner before authorising a consultation. Please check with your insurance company first, obtain an authorisation number and take this with you to your first appointment.
How do I make an appointment to see Mr Ahmed?
If you wish to make an appointment, please ring Mr Ahmed’s private secretary, Janet Huett, on 07837-372277. She is happy to take calls in the evening and weekends. If she is not available on the above number, please leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as she can. Alternatively please telephone Holly House Hospital or Spire Roding Hospital on the numbers given on this website (Please click “Contacts” or “Appointments” buttons on homepage for numbers).
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Mr Ahmed usually sees routine referrals within 1-2 weeks.
What do I need for my first appointment?
Please bring your health insurance number and authorisation code with you for the consultation. If possible, kindly bring your GP referral letter. If uninsured, please be aware that payment for the initial consultation should be made the same day. If the consultation is at Holly House Hospital, acceptable forms of payment are cheque or cash. At the Spire Roding hospital, card payments are accepted in addition to cheque or cash.
How long will my consultation last?
Mr Ahmed gives all new patients a 20 minute slot in his clinic . However, the length of your consultation depends upon the complexity of your condition. If your problem is a very simple one, the consultation may last less than 20 minutes. Alternatively, if you have a complex condition, the consultation may last considerably longer. Follow up appointments are allotted 10-15 minutes but again this varies.
Will I have to have an X-Ray or scan?
You may require an x-ray or scan. X-rays are covered by most insurance companies but it is best to check with your insurer before your appointment. In case of scans, most companies will require you to contact them for pre-authorisation before having the scan. This is strongly advised to avoid getting saddled with a huge bill for the scan!
What if I need an injection?
Again, injections are covered by most insurance companies but it is recommended that you check with your insurer before your appointment.
How long will I have to wait if I need surgery?
This usually varies between one to three weeks. However, Mr Ahmed will do his best to offer you an operation date on a day and time convenient to you.
Will I need to stay in hospital after my operation?
This depends upon the procedure you are having. Some procedures are done as an inpatient ,whereas others can be done as a daycase or “walk-in walk-out”.
What are In-Patient, Day Case, and Walk-in Walk-out procedures?
An In-patient procedure is one in which the patient stays overnight in hospital after the operation. Examples are shoulder or elbow replacement operations. In case of a Day case operation, the patient goes home the same day. While in hospital, the patient is given a private room. A Walk-in Walk-out procedure is essentially a fast-track day case procedure. The patient goes straight to the operation theatre from reception. The patient does not occupy a private room. The surgery is done under local anaesthetic so there is no recovery period from general anaesthetic to delay discharge. Examples are carpal tunnel decompression and trigger finger surgery.
What type of anaesthetic will I have?
This depends on the operation you are having. For small hand prcedures such as carpal tunnel decompression, local anaesthetic is used. This involves injection of a small amount of local anaesthetic around the area of the incision. You will be awake while this is done. If you are very apprehensive about this, then a mild sedative may be given first. It will take a few minutes for the injected area to go numb. Mr Ahmed will check that the area is completely numb before proceeding with the operation. For most other procedures a general or regional anaesthetic is given. A general anaesthetic involves being put to sleep whereas a regional anaesthetic involves the arm being put to sleep. A mild sedative may also be administered.
Who will give me the anaestetic?
The general or regional anesthetic will be administered by one of the following highly experienced consultant anesthetists: Dr Sadanand Chitre, Dr Joe Youssef or Dr Mubashar Zia.
Who will do my operation?
Mr Ahmed will perform all private operations.
Will Mr Ahmed see me after my operation?
Yes, Mr Ahmed will see you after the procedure. He will check that all is well, explain the procedure to you and make sure you are ready for discharge. If you are staying in hospital overnight, Mr Ahmed will usually come to see you the next day before you go home. A physiotherapist will see you before discharge and give advice on what you are allowed to do (and not allowed to do) at home. You will be given instructions on care of the dressings and given an appointment to see Mr Ahmed usually within 1-2 weeks.
What if I have a problem once I go home?
If there should be a minor issue, then please contact Mr Ahmed’s private secretary, Janet Huett, on 07837-372277. If there is a genuine emergency please call the hospital and they will contact Mr Ahmed immediately.
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