Colorectal Surgery

Our services run across our three acute hospitals. We diagnose, treat and support patients with conditions affecting the bowel.

All major colorectal surgery takes place at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Day surgery also takes place at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Endoscopic procedures and radiological investigations occur at the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal hospitals. Outpatient appointments are offered at the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal hospitals.

Keyhole surgery

Our consultant colorectal specialist surgeons are trained in advanced keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery including extra-levator abdominal excision (ELAPE) and pelvic floor reconstruction for low rectal cancers.

Laparoscopic or keyhole colorectal surgery involves performing operations using instruments introduced through small incisions in the abdomen. As well as the cosmetic benefit, this has been shown to reduce post-operative pain and the length of stay in hospital after major surgery.

It may not always be possible to offer keyhole surgery but you can discuss this with your surgeon.

Enhanced recovery

We have developed an effective and efficient, enhanced recovery programme. The aim of this programme is to get you back to full health as quickly as possible after surgery. Our patients' average stay in hospital, is just five days after major bowel surgery.

We offer the following services and colorectal clinics.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Pelvic floor reconstruction
Extra-levator abdominal excision (ELAPE)
Ileo colic resections
Total mesorectal excision (TATME)

Recovery Programme

The enhanced recovery programme is about improving your outcomes and speeding up recovery after surgery.

We aim to reduce your length of stay and any physical stress of the operation, which should enable you to recover faster with better outcomes.

Our colorectal enhanced recovery nurse, focusses on making sure that you are an active participant in your own recovery process.

The key element is good pre-operative assessment and planning before admission.

Patient Information Leaflet

Click here to open our information leaflet on self-managed follow-up - Colorectal Information for patients, relatives and carers

Colorectal Specialist Nurse Service

What is the aim of the service?

To provide advice, support, help and information to you and your family / carers whilst you are undergoing diagnosis, treatment and continuing care for your diagnosis. We are based at The Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and attend clinics at Bromsgrove, and Kidderminster hospitals.

Who is the service for?

Anyone who has a colorectal cancer, before, during or after their treatment.

What does the service provide?

The colorectal nurse specialist’s role is about ensuring you / your family /carer has sufficient knowledge and information about your diagnosis. We offer information, advice, and support to you and your family whilst you are having treatment for your diagnosis. This also includes whilst you are undergoing tests / investigations, and when you are undergoing treatment, and during your follow up care.

The service includes:

direct access for you / your carers
information regarding the cancer and treatment options
pre-operative information and counselling
post-operative care, advice and counselling
act as a resource to other health care professionals both in hospital and community
liaise with and work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team
Buddy system
Additional help and information ie referral for benefits/grants financial.
Information on the Worcestershire Bowel cancer support group.
Nutritional information and dietary advice
Assistance with Concessionary car parking charges

Useful links

Colossus is a support group run by volunteers and aim to give help and support for fellow patients, their family and friends.They meet monthly at 7pm in St Johns Church Hall, Habberley, Kidderminster.

Contact - Beryl Talbot 01299 824006

Other useful information can be found online at:

Beating Bowel Cancer	Beating Bowel Cancer Charity and helpline
Colostomy Association	Colostomy Association
IASupport	Illeostomy and internal pouch support group
Urostomy Association	Urostomy support group
Macmillan	National cancer charity
Cancer Screening	National bowel cancer screening programme
Cancer research	National cancer charity
NHS Choices	NHS information on bowel cancer

Patient support groups

We run our own patient support group. The support group meets every 3 months. The support group is for both patients and relatives who have a diagnosis of bowel cancer.

The support group is called “Worcestershire Bowel cancer support group” Please contact your Colorectal Nurse Specialist for more details.

Meet the team

The Colorectal Surgery team includes specialist nurses and consultant doctors.

Our consultants are individually listed on our consultant register:

CONSULTANT	Colorectal Nurse Specialist
Mr Flindall	Samantha Hillhouse
Mr Lovegrove	Michelle Smith
Mrs Nicol	Bernice Kent/Louise Gilbert
Mr Patel	Juliette Lomax
Mr Pandey	Cassie Dovey
Mr Reddy	Nikki Shelton
Miss Sivathondan	Samantha Hillhouse
Mr Zilvetti	Sharon Brown

Colorectal Enhanced Recovery Specialist Nurses

Julie Booker

Aimee Summers

Helen Morgan

Contact us

We provide outpatient clinics and services at two of our Hospitals, please contact us either at:

Alexandra Hospital	01527 503030
Worcestershire Royal	01905 763333