Consultant cardiac surgeon Dincer Aktuerk and hospital director Adrian Connolly from Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, explain their approach to cardiac care.
Nuffield Health at Bartholomew’s Hospital has been making strides in cardiac care. The hospital brings together some of the most advanced surgical and diagnostic technologies, alongside leading consultant cardiothoracic surgeons.
“Nuffield Health’s reputation for innovation in healthcare, particularly in cardiac surgery, is well-established. We offer the latest technology for minimally invasive cardiac procedures, which aligns with my passion for exploring and implementing cutting-edge techniques,” says Dincer Aktuerk, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Nuffield Health at Bartholomew’s Hospital.
The challenges of recovery
One of the most distinctive features of the cardiac patient pathway at Nuffield Health at Bartholomew’s Hospital is its approach to rehabilitation and addressing the challenges faced during recovery.
The hospital draws on a range of services, from physiotherapy to support from upskilled personal trainers at its flagship Barbican Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, through to ongoing gym membership. This supports the patient to not only recover from their treatment, but to continue rehabilitation and build healthier habits for the long term.
“Rehabilitation is invaluable – it helps patients regain their strength, endurance, and overall well-being after surgery,” says Aktuerk.
“I’ve seen first-hand how the work of personal trainers, over an extended period, can significantly improve a patient’s outcomes and quality of life,” he continues calling it an “essential component” of comprehensive cardiac care.
There are social benefits to it too. “Patients enjoy the social element of the rehabilitation. It allows them to build confidence in a supportive gym environment,” says Adrian Connolly, hospital director at Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. This means, he continues, that patients can ask questions and remain within a recovery framework that helps them regain their health and confidence post-treatment.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead there are plans to extend services and reach even more patients, both NHS and private, across the capital and beyond.
“We want to broaden the treatments we offer within cardiac surgery and cardiology at a safe and steady pace, working closely with our consultants,” says Connolly.
The City of London’s first independent hospital, Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital only opened its doors almost three years ago, the first independent hospital in the City of London.
It now works with more than 270 consultants and offers a comprehensive range of specialities, including cardiology and cardiac surgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, urology, gynaecology and breast care.
“We also aim to extend our reach so that patients outside London can benefit from the expertise of our consultants and be supported locally through the Nuffield Health network. We are already collaborating closely with our sister sites in Cambridge, Oxford, and Brighton,” says Connolly.
As the NHS faces increasing pressure, Nuffield Health at Bartholomew’s Hospital will continue to work alongside Barts Health NHS Trust to help address the elective surgery backlog.
“Our partnership with Barts Health has always been strong, and it has only improved over time,” says Connolly. “We want to be good partners and look forward to the next chapter of our 30-year arrangement with them.”
