• Common Bowel Symptoms
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to make an appointment
• Misdiagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Useful links
• Patient leaflets
• Glossary
• Published Studies
• Testimonials
  • Brian. Birmingham
  • Mr M. from Birmingham
  • Mrs Clarke
  • June Boyd
  • Cynthia Marks
  • Dr Judy Sheahan
  • Jeffrey Greene
  • Jon Walton
  • Paul O'Brien
  • "Miss L". Birmingham
  • "John". Birmingham
  • Mrs Elisabeth Stroud
  • L.M Strang
  • Jennifer Wall
  • David Lyne
  • David Turner
  • Company Chairman
  • GP from Birmingham
  • M.J.Waldron
  • Cliff Dixon
  • Brian Kendrick
  • Mr Bruce Sutherland CBE
  • Peter Eriksson
  • Mrs Jane Jenner
  • Karen Beaton
  • Dr Nuton Faisal
  • Mrs Karen Osgood
  • Miss Janice Williamson
  • Dr Manji
  • Mr “M”. From Birmingham
  • Norman Selwyn
  • Roger Aitken
  • Jean Robinson
  • Olive Haslam
  • Julie Stanley
  • June Walker
  • Phil Leech
  • Cyril Hack
  • Malcolm Bird OBE
  • Mrs Heather Blakemore
  • Richard Davies

Paul O'Brien

I was referred to see Mr Tariq Ismail at BMI The Edgbaston Hospital through my employers medical insurance scheme. I saw my GP who confirmed that I was suffering with a hernia, however recommended that I needed a second opinion. I was seen on the NHS as an outpatient and they weren’t able to offer me a date for my operation for another 3 months.
Due to the nature of my work for the bespoke car manufacturer Aston Martin, this would have compromised my ability to perform my job without being in discomfort, so by using private insurance I was offered an outpatient appointment with Mr Ismail within 3 days.

When I first met Mr Tariq Ismail in the outpatient department he examined me and put my mind at rest straightaway which I really appreciated. There was no delay in waiting to undergo my operation, and on the day just before going to the operating theatre Mr Ismail came to see me and spent time explaining things to me again and offering me reassurance about the operation. Nothing was too much trouble for Mr Ismail, and I feel he has a fantastic combination of being very professional and an excellent surgeon yet also he is down to earth with me as his patient.
As I had a complex hernia, it had to be performed via open surgery as opposed to keyhole. The nursing staff, theatre staff and anaesthetists were fantastic. I was booked in as a daycase patient but as I was quite sick as a result of the anaesthetic they insisted that I stay in hospital overnight, and the nursing staff were constantly checking on me to make sure I was OK. I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Ten days after my operation I had my stitches removed and am very pleased with my scar, it is healing well. I cannot fault the treatment I have received from Mr Ismail and his team, everyone involved has been very accommodating and everything has been seamless and painless. Thank you once again.

Paul O'Brien. November 2011