Consultants
Aziz Ahmad
Spinal
Colchester Hospital
I am a fellowship trained orthopaedic spinal surgeon. After finishing my MBSS I started as a foundation doctor in Merseyside. While working as a junior doctor in Guys and St Thomas, I developed interest in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. I trained as an orthopaedic surgeon with a sub speciality interest in spinal surgery. I gained Master of Science (In Advanced Surgical Practice) from Cardiff University. I passed my FRCS (T&O) in 2017 from Royal College of Surgeon of England. I entered the GMC Specialist Register in trauma and orthopaedics in 2019. I did two internationally-recognised complex spinal fellowship in Cardiff and Exeter.
I was appointed as a consultant in spinal surgery at Ipswich Hospital in 2020. My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery including:
- trauma
- deformity
- infection
- malignancy
- degenerative conditions such as back pain and sciatica
I am keen on undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and have been a faculty on FRCS Spinal revision courses. I have been reviewer of prestigious science journals including global spine journal and have been editor for orthopaedic in training exams. I have presented at both national and international Conferences.
Professional Membership:
- Fellow of Royal College of Surgeon of England
- Member of British Association of Spine Surgeon
- Member of British Orthopaedic Association
- Member of AO Spine
Shaishav Bhagat
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I qualified from BJ Medical College, India in 1997 and obtained a Masters in Orthopaedics in 2000. Subsequently I completed further training in the UK. I was appointed to the Ipswich Hospital Spinal Unit in September 2013.
Prior to this I had been on spinal surgery fellowship training programmes in Cardiff, Cambridge, Norwich and Germany. I was awarded the Diploma of European Spine Society in 2012. My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery.
I have had articles published in several international publications, have given presentations on various aspects of spinal surgery and have also been involved in organising charity spinal surgery mission trips to India.
David Cumming
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I am a Fellowship trained orthopaedic spinal surgeon with seven years’ experience as a consultant in Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust. I have been the clinical lead for Spinal and Musculoskeletal services in Ipswich for the past 5 years. During this time I have developed the service into one of the leading orthopaedic hub spinal centres. I provide spinal services across Suffolk and Essex.
During my time as a consultant I have worked with NHS England to develop best practice in spinal surgery across the country. I am a key member of the Clinical Reference Group for spinal services and the improving Spinal Care Project across the UK. I am also Chair of the East of England Regional Spinal Network.
I am the current Secretary of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons and have been involved with the society in developing guidelines and organising national meetings.
In clinical practice I am involved in treating adult spinal conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. I regularly perform spinal surgery on all areas of the spine for acute, degenerative and traumatic conditions.
Alastair Hudd
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I am a full time Consultant Spinal Surgeon. I qualified from the University of St Andrews (BSc) in 1996, before completing my clinical training at the University of Manchester (MB, ChB) in 1998.
During my junior surgical training I worked in Brisbane, Australia, and then returned to the UK where I completed my specialty training as an orthopaedic registrar on the South West Thames rotation (Sussex, Surrey and SW London).
I gained FRCS (Tr & Orth) in 2011 and went on to complete two years of specialist spine surgery fellowship training. The first year was spent at Sheffield in the UK and the second was a joint neurosurgery/orthopaedic fellowship in Melbourne, Australia.
During my time at Sheffield I helped launch the British Spine Registry, which collects data to help ensure patient outcomes are optimised. I have experience in all forms of orthopaedic spinal surgery and have published papers and been both faculty and a delegate on training courses around the world.
Saaj Kaleel
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I am a Consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in spinal surgery. I qualified from Coimbatore Medical College, India in 2000. I joined the East Anglian Trauma and Orthopaedic training programme in 2006.
I trained in spinal surgery at Ipswich and Norwich during my higher surgical rotation and thereafter went on a spinal surgery fellowship at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter. I was appointed at Ipswich hospital in February 2013.
My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery and I provide a spinal on-call service as a part of a five-member team.
Rob Lovell
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I qualified from University College London Medical School in 1998. I undertook my basic surgical training at University College Hospital, St. Mary’s and The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
I then joined the East Anglian Higher Surgical Training Programme in Trauma and Orthopaedics. During this training I specialised in spinal surgery and after gaining my Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons I travelled to Australia for the prestigious year-long AO Spinal fellowship in Brisbane.
I was appointed as a Consultant in spinal surgery at Ipswich Hospital in 2010. My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery including trauma, deformity, infection, malignancy and degenerative conditions such as back pain and sciatica. My particular sub-speciality interests are cervical surgery and adult deformity. I have extensive experience in disc replacement surgery.
I am actively involved with the education of trainee surgeons and other colleagues, lecturing widely and internationally on many aspects of spinal surgery.
Mark Prempeh
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I qualified in the University of the West Indies. I completed my Orthopaedic specialist registrar training in the East of England deanery. Then completed Spine Fellowships in Ipswich, Stoke and Exeter.
I was appointed as a spinal consultant in January 2018.
My practice involves all aspects of spinal surgery. I provide a spinal on-call service as a part of 7 member team.
My special interests include:
- spinal infections
- minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery for lumbar spine and anterior lumbar surgery
Pierluigi Vergara
Spinal
Ipswich Hospital
I am a Neurosurgeon with special interest in Spinal Surgery. I was appointed as Locum Consultant at Ipswich Hospital and Honorary Consultant at Broomfield Hospital in 2018.
I have also worked as Locum Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon in Addenbrooke’s Hospital and underwent specialist Spinal Fellowships in Addenbrooke’s, Norfolk & Norwich and Queens Square Hospitals prior to my current appointment.
I work on all aspects of adult spinal pathologies including degenerative / wear and tear conditions, trauma, tumors and infections. My practice is strongly based on minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques. I remain active in research and continuously audit my practice in order to give patients the best care possible.