Mr Paul Thiruchelvam

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Mr Thiruchelvam was the doctor who gave me the initial diagnosis as well as the one who cured me. Under his guidance, I felt very well-informed and in very safe hands as he was the surgeon who performed the procedure. He was very kind and very clear in delivering the initial difficult news and also about the necessary steps forward. He got the ball rolling very quickly, presented clear options to me and made the decision-making process straightforward. He has a great team, particularly his super-efficient practice manager, Michelle Wright, and a network of colleagues who were all part of the process. I felt that every angle had been considered which was very reassuring. I found Mr Thiruchelvam to be very professional and very human. I had complete confidence in every step of the way forward and would unhesitatingly recommend him to anyone else in my position.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Dr Paul treated me with respect, dignity and explained my condition with clarity, while not sparing any of the potentially unpleasant side-effects or outcomes. I felt completely at ease with him and confident that he knew what he was doing. He explained that he was conducting research with a colleague surgeon into carrying out lumpectomy and reconstruction of both breasts to make them even, in one operation. I was very happy to accept his offer of undergoing both surgeries at once. It all worked out very well and I am healing well with excellent results. I only have two concerns, neither of which relate to Dr Paul, but I see there is nowhere else to report them. Firstly, on coming round from the operation I saw I was in a mixed ward. Subsequently realised I was not, I was in a ward with two post-op transgender patients. I have no ethical issues with their choices, but they behaved and spoke in a frankly horrible way I had no wish to hear every detail of their operation or sex lives. This was just insensitive, I had to get ear plugs. Secondly, when I arrived for the radiotherapy Dr appointment, the wait was two hours. I was unable to wait for two hours and left. It took several attempts to rearrange this appointment. Simply, it is a shame when a patient in a very distressing situation, who gets such excellent care from their surgeon, then has to undergo such insensitivity post-op.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

After a routine mammogram I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast - fortunately caught very early as it was less than 1cm. I was put under the care of Mr Paul Thiruchelvam, and he was very professional and thorough in explaining the treatment options. I opted to have a lumpectomy, which was performed less than 3 weeks after my initial consultation. On the day of the surgery, Mr Thiruchelvam briefed his team very thoroughly, and was aided by his colleague Dan Leff who worked on my left breast to aid the symmetrical aspect of my breasts following surgery. Mr Thiruchelvam advised a vertical scar mammoplasty for my right breast as the best way of achieving a good shape and look. It is early days and I have yet to undergo radiotheraphy, where I understand the shape of the breast is likely to change, but certainly the initial results look good. I do have pain from the removal of three lymph nodes, but that is gradually improving. Overall the standard of care has been excellent, and I felt treated by Mr Thiruchelvam with professionalism, thoughtfulness and kindness throughout. I should also add that all the Breast Care nurses that I met have been universally lovely! Let's hope the politicians put their money where their mouths are and increase their support for the NHS and its staff....

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at HCA UK At Chiswick Medical Centre

I was a bit nervous at the beginning of my consultation but Mr Thiruchelvam made me feel completely at ease by building rapport from the start. During the examination, he was extremely professional and ensured I felt safe by asking one of the nurses to chaperone. With her, he was very respectful, as well as with the radiology staff. He explained the results thoroughly in a way I understood, and gave me good advice for self-examination.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was under the care of Paul Thirucheluam since having a problem with one of my breast. I had a clear discharge for a while in which I was seeing Paul who took really good care of me sent me for mri and ultrasound to diagnose the problem. As the problem was intermittent i was advised to have 6 monthly check ups but if anything changed to contact the breast department which I was more than happy to do as he gave me good advice. Recently things changed and the clear discharge was now bloody. I went back to see Paul where we managed to get a sample to be sent for testing and in the meantime he booked me in for a Microdocectomy as a day surgery case in December the procedure was explained to me fully and I was more than happy to be booked in for surgery. Within 2 weeks the breast dept called me to fit me into a slot in November. I had a pre assessment for surgery a few days after the call and went in for surgery the following week. On the morning of the surgery i saw Paul who went over throughly the procedure etc he made me at ease and had the surgery. I now am making good recovery and saw Paul 14 days after surgery where I was examined and findings from the surgery was fully explained with a very good outcome. I was very pleased on how i was dealt with by Paul and all the breast team and would recommend the dept at Charing cross to friends and family.

Recommend

Trust

Listening