Information for insurers

We are a group of Consultant colleagues who also work in the NHS, and perform similar complex breast reconstructions at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

We are all recognised by the major Private Medical Insurers (PMIs), but we are not always able to adhere to the standard fee schedule. Some insurers cover our fees in full, but in some cases there may be a shortfall in fees which the patient chooses to pay.

A firm belief of our group is that our private patients should not be disadvantaged compared to our NHS patients, where complex free flap breast reconstructions are typically performed by a Consultant, either a second Consultant or senior Microsurgery Fellow and a registrar.

Two consultants working is therefore our model to ensure safe and efficient practice in the private sector. This method of working has led to outstanding clinical outcomes for our patients, with significantly higher flap success rates and reduced emergency returns to theatre. 

As a result of the two Consultant model, we are often able to perform simultaneous symmetrisation of the contralateral breast, to avoid a further inpatient admission and additional cost to the insurer.

Whilst free flap reconstruction may seem costly, it is well documented that over the patient’s lifetime it compares very favourably to implant-based reconstruction, and does not commit patients to repeated revision surgeries throughout their lifetime.