Option of surgical treatment in the U.K.Option of surgical treatment in the U.K.

British cancer surgeon to start consultations in Maó clinic

Consultant. The British oncologist will work with the Wellington Hospital in London

Cambridge and Birmingham University trained oncologist David Skidmore will hold consultations in the Clínica de Medicina Avanzada on a fortnightly basis

C.M.W..Maó

After spending months struggling to have his qualifications translated and accepted by the Spanish authorities, David Skidmore, OBE, MA, MD, FRCS, has finally received official authorisation to practise medicine in Spain.

The cancer specialist is to hold consultations on a fortnightly basis at the Clínica de Medicina Avanzada in Maó (next to the Port Mahón Hotel) for residents on the island, a boon for those who find it difficult to describe their symptoms in Spanish.

Trained at Cambridge and Birmingham University medical schools, David Skidmore has been a consultant in London for 27 years after having spent some time as University Lecturer at Christie Hospital in Manchester. He is widely experienced in general surgery but particularly interested in cancer work - breast, lung cancer etc.

Not only will he offer diagnoses and primary treatment to local residents but he will also provide a follow up service and palliative care, as well as screening for various types of cancer, such as colon, breast and skin, and insurance medicals.

His work in Menorca will be carried out in combination with the Wellington Hospital in London, a private hospital which is backing him and providing facilities, whilst local resources will be used for x-rays and blood tests.

Following the consultation, if a patient needs some form of surgical treatment, various options are available: surgery locally, in which case David Skidmore will provide a letter for the Spanish Health Service saying what is wrong with the patient; or a return to the U.K., either to be admitted to the Wellington Hospital in London at preferential rates for those without medical insurance (those with BUPA cover will have their fees paid by the company) or to a hospital elsewhere in England if the patient has family or friends in another part of the country and would rather be treated near them. Admission to and treatment in a National Health hospital in the U.K. can be arranged for British subjects who have paid their national insurance contributions.

Appointments can be made by telephoning Mr. Skidmore´s secretary in London (020 8318 6923) with details, following which the oncologist will contact the patient.

Should the facility prove useful to the local community it could later be expanded to include general medicine and orthopaedics.