Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in 1 Spine surgery clinic in Birmingham

I used the hospital to have the services of Mr Afifi as I was due a hysterectomy due to endometriosis. Katie, his PA is excellent and always on hand to help and support. However, the booking staff were terrible with communication. I received wrong information numerous times prior to my pre op and operation and found myself making daily calls to resolve the matter. I made a complaint to the PA to the Surgeon and still nothing improved. Even on the day of my pre assessment I didn't have all the right information - wrong time and no address. When in hospital the majority of the staff were good however the communication between the nurses was not good and it was clear, as they messages regarding my requests were not been answered. Each nurse told different story for medication and recovery and it took one Healthcare assistant (Marty) to come in and get things under control and a proper plan in place. I only had one night approved by the insurance company and I ended up needing 2 nights due to not feeling well after the surgery. The staff were too focused on getting me out to make space for another patient that I was furious and stressed. I assured the staff that I was happy to pay the extra night and so was my insurance company. I was spoken to by at least 5 staff members to try and move me out when clearly I didn't have the confidence to leave the hospital because of my condition. We normally use another private hospital in London and I can assure that from now on we won't be using Circle Health Group again. The communication overall was not acceptable, the staff on the ward show they are overworked and tired and in turn pass this onto the patients. They are more focused on treating each patient as a business and not as a patient. Overall I was not happy with my experience and going forward will not use your business again.

I can’t fault the care and kindness of everyone who was involved in my surgery and on the ward afterwards. I had surgery two days ago and my surgeon was brilliant, he talked through everything with me and came to personally visit me on the ward twice to check in on me and answer any questions I had. I was admitted to Dudley ward and every single one of the nursing team that were on the ward were fantastic, they looked after me and are so kind and caring. I would love to thank each of them individually as I feel they went above and beyond. I would highly recommend my surgeon and the hospital to anyone who asked me where I had it done.

Everything was fantastic, in particular the nursing staff- Camilla, Marty and Mandy were fantastic. Everyone was friendly and kind and tried to make my stay as pleasant as possible. The food selection was great (even for fussy vegans like me!) I had a few issues after my surgery but the nursing team were brilliant and really went the extra mile to make sure I was comfortable and knew what to expect.

I had a good experience with Dr Carlos for MRI scans and follow-up appointments. However, the billing team and administration is very unorganized and has caused me a huge amount of stress and suffering. I am a full yinsured patient and they have been unable to submit my invoices to correct insurers, failed to communicate with me when my insurance companies have missed something, and start chasing down payments of plus 2 years old using debt collection agencies. Beware, stay away from the Schoen Clinics as they are very unprofessional. Have never experienced anything quite like this. In April 2023, a debt collection agency contacted me saying invoice over due with Schoen Clinic. I was shocked as my insurance company should have settled this 1 year ago. Cigna subseqeuntly settled the bill quickly on my behalf once I took lead on it. To be clear, I never recieved one piece of communication from Schoen Clinic saying the bill had not been settled by my insurance company and they went straight to debt collection agency even though I have a long history with the clinic as an insured patient. In November 2023, I get contacted again by a debt collection agency. Schoen were unable to tell me in April 2023 that there was also £175 invoice and a fee of £100 that had not been paid by Axa in 2020. Clearly at this point I am losing all hope with the Schoen Clinic and am insulted that they would raise these trivial amounts via agency this long ago. I struggle to even remember what they are for, have not recieved invoices and to make matters worse you cant even contact somebody in person to talk to about it.

Absolutely terrible. Didn’t help my knee at all. Left in the waiting room for 50mins for appt. Then I apparently had £12 bill outstanding. I had a baby. Then I find out they’ve passed the £12 bill to a debt collector who has rolled it up and added a load of fees.

This review is for the administration, not the health professionals, which I will post separately. I attended for a consultation on 14th March and paid an invoice that day which I was led to believe covered everything. At the end of July I was chased for an outstanding invoice of £400 for two x-rays which was supposedly raised on 15th March. I queried it, but to no avail. And only today have I finally received the actual invoice, 5 months late! In view of my being originally misinformed and the delay in providing the invoice, a small reduction? Not a chance!

Recently went in as a day case for a diagnostic procedure. From start to finish they made my time there almost enjoyable!!! The reception team, nurses , theatre staff and the Consultant were all brilliant. Communication was second to none and the teams we are all straightforward and uncomplicated. A credit to Fairfield Independent Hospital.

Absolutely shambles of a place can't run outpatient clinics on time .. Seems there time is more important than yours BE AWARE... It like there doing you a favour by operating clinics on a weekend ..!!! Unhelpful staff AVIOD ...

I am completely disgusted at how they view their patients. It seems as though the medical staff only show the care that comes with their job when you are employed or local to the surrounding area. If you are simply an independent carer for your autistic child then they will cast you aside, simply sending you somewhere else without even asking about your condition or symptoms. They truly know how to make you feel like a burden, as if you shouldn't have even stepped foot on the premises and I truly believe they are aware of this. I am a widowed Catholic mother of three with no support, visual issues and am single handedly guiding and aiding my autistic child through life. I come here for extrema pain in my back and they simply send me away after an uncaring talk. The medical staff and those incharge can easily solve this problem by climbing down from their ivory tower and acknowledging that we are all humans and are all entitled to the care we so rightly deserve. Absolutely foul.

I had knee meniscus arthroscopy surgery at RNOH hospital in Stanmore (via the Private Care Unit) and I was truly satisfied with the results. All of the staff were genuinely amazing in helping me feel welcomed, relaxed and taken care of. ***FYI, I found this hospital through the NHS hospitals reviews website as being the best in the UK when dealing with joints issues like mine.*** Special thanks to Dr Chethan Jayadev (my surgeon) and his team in the operation theatre. Also special thanks to the Senior Nurse Sima who made sure everything is prepared and ready for me before and after the operation - she was amazing in every given moment even when I was leaving the hospital she made sure I can hop in the car in a safe for my knee way... I mean wow it does not cost much to be nice to others. Frankly speaking my experience as being positive matched with the reviews I read about this hospital few years ago. It is nice to see that they are keeping up with the reputation and level of service. I wish you very best if you are planning to go for a surgery at this hospital and I am sure whichever path you choose either funded through NHS or though Private Health Insurance Provider you will be treated very well - saying that as I had the opportunity to see and experience both pathways and levels of treatments. ❤️👍

I would like to say a big thank you to mr Cullen and his team, the doctors,the nurses. You all have made my stay on private care very comfortable The food was nutrition lovely food well balanced menu which you can choose from every day The cleaners even helpful the rooms are bright colours really beautiful and well kept clean I really can't fault private care Thank you all so much for your wonderful care I received in here after having my ankle fusion

I recently had a spinal procedure under the care of Mr Leong. I am extremely grateful for the level of care and attention I received, from being offered alternatives before I was ready to take the plunge with surgery, to the surgery itself and after care. It was lovely to feel complete faith in my consultant but also to hear other doctors speak so highly of him. The whole team at RNOH were so helpful and attentive and I am truly grateful to Mr Leong, for his kind & caring attitude and for getting me back on my feet again.

Fantastic experience on two seperate occasions. I saw the Dermatologists and had bloods taken. Professional and friendly staff. I highly recommend their service.

Posting on behalf of my unwell partner, Helen. I had an email on 21st September cancelling her appointment in the ‘long covid clinic’ (she doesn’t have long covid…) and assuring a deposit refund in due course. It’s now two weeks later and no sign of the refund, which is not an inconsiderable amount of money. Very concerned about why they can’t seem to access our money (and other peoples by the look of it) to return it to us. We also thought it very bad practice that the cancellation email was a ‘no reply’ address and they don’t appear to have another email address. I have contacted them via their website contact form but of course have received no reply. I will now be contacting Citizens Advice regarding how to progress with this issue. In Conclusion: BEWARE.

This clinic is appalling. The only good thing about this clinic was the doctor who I saw who has now left - speaks volumes! My appointment was cancelled weeks ago and I STILL haven’t received a refund. I never received a copy of the doctor’s letter and neither did my local GP surgery which is partly what I paid for in my initial fee.

I felt I was in great hands from start to finish & very much appreciated the care shown. Everyone from the consultant, ward team & theatre team did their very best to provide fantastic care. The physiotherapists were also fantastic & really worked hard to get me mobile & discuss any worries. Having such a great, knowledgeable, caring & welcoming team really does put a very stressful situation at ease - The team at the Albyn is second to none.

Attentive and very friendly staff! I postponed my surgery for so many years and so glad that I did it at Albyn hospital. The whole experience was very smooth and professional. Wouldn't have minded to get pampered by the staff a bit longer. Thank you for the amazing experience!

All the nurses and other staff were really nice to me. Always making sure I was ok before and after the surgery. My only questions are about my surgery which will be discussed with my doctor in a few weeks. But overall I had a good staying at Albyn. Thank you.