Questions you may have

Bring any imaging you have had — mammograms, ultrasound scans, or MRI — plus your referral letter if applicable, a list of current medications, and your insurance card or details. If you are coming via GP referral, the letter is helpful but not essential. See preparing for your appointment for a full checklist. There is no need to prepare a medical history summary; Dr Tsang-Wright will take a full history at the consultation.

Allow around 45 to 60 minutes for an initial consultation. If you are attending a one-stop clinic — where imaging and, if needed, a biopsy are performed on the same day — allow two to three hours in total. Exact timing depends on what is found and whether further tests are required.

A one-stop breast clinic combines clinical examination, imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound when appropriate), and a core needle biopsy in the same visit if clinically indicated — the UK triple assessment model (NICE quality standard QS12). Most patients discuss imaging impressions the same day; biopsy histology usually takes several working days. See the one-stop breast clinic page for how visits are structured.

Many private patients can be seen within days of contacting the practice. If you have a new lump, persistent focal change, or symptoms that meet NICE NG12 urgent referral criteria, contact your GP as well so you can access the NHS two-week-wait pathway in parallel. Private assessment complements NHS care; it does not replace it. To book, use the contact page or see the one-stop clinic page.

Ultrasound and mammography impressions are often available the same day when you attend a one-stop visit. Core biopsy results are reported by the pathologist and are typically available within several working days — the practice will explain your likely timeline at the visit. See core biopsy in the glossary for how samples are processed.

Yes — you are welcome to bring a partner, family member, or friend to any appointment. Having a second person in the room often helps with processing information and remembering what was discussed. Please mention when booking if you plan to bring someone, so the right room is arranged.

A clinical breast examination is usually part of the first consultation, though this depends on the reason for your appointment. Dr Tsang-Wright will explain what the examination involves and ask for your consent before proceeding. Dr Tsang-Wright will offer you a chaperone for any breast examination, in line with GMC guidance, and you can decline or accept as you prefer.

A GP referral is not required to book a private consultation, and many patients self-refer directly. If you are using insurance, most providers ask for a GP referral letter before authorising the appointment — check your policy on the fees and insurance page before attending. A referral letter is always useful context, but it is not a gate to booking.

Contact the practice promptly if a post-operative wound becomes increasingly painful, hot, red, or discharging unexpectedly, or if you have concerns that do not fit routine follow-up timing. For suspected infection or acute illness after surgery, use NHS 111 or local urgent care as appropriate. For life-threatening symptoms — for example chest pain, difficulty breathing, or collapse — call 999. This page is not a substitute for emergency care. For new breast symptoms before you have been assessed, contact your GP urgently if you meet NICE NG12 criteria; the contact page is for routine enquiries and booking.

Consultation fees are listed on the fees and insurance page. The cost varies depending on whether the appointment is a standard consultation, a one-stop clinic visit, or a follow-up. A written quote is available on request before you book.

Dr Tsang-Wright holds recognition with most major UK private medical insurers. A full list of recognised insurers is on the fees and insurance page. If your insurer is not listed, contact the practice to check — recognition arrangements are updated periodically.

Self-pay patients are welcome. All self-pay consultation fees are fixed and quoted in advance, with no hidden charges for letters, referrals, or results calls. Surgical packages are quoted separately and include anaesthetist, hospital, and surgeon fees where applicable.

Deferred payment and finance options may be available through the hospital where the procedure is performed. The practice can advise on what is offered at each site. Payment for consultations is due at the time of appointment.

For consultations, some insurers expect a GP referral letter rather than advance authorisation; for surgery, most insurers require pre-authorisation before the procedure. Check your policy and contact Sarah or Nadiya (details on the fees and insurance page) if you need help confirming what your insurer requires.

No. If your symptoms meet NICE NG12 suspected cancer referral criteria, contact your GP so you can access the NHS urgent pathway (including two-week-wait where appropriate). Private assessment and surgery can run alongside NHS care; Dr Tsang-Wright also holds an NHS consultant post at Bucks Breast Unit. Many patients use private care for faster assessment or consultant-led continuity while remaining in the NHS system for parts of treatment.

Private consultations are held at Women’s Health Centre clinics on Harley Street and King’s Road (Chelsea), and at The Chiltern Hospital in Buckinghamshire. Surgery is arranged at the hospital site agreed in your pre-operative plan. NHS practice is at Bucks Breast Unit, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Yes — many patients combine pathways. Private care does not automatically remove you from NHS lists, and the practice can write to your GP with a summary of private consultations when you wish. Clear communication between teams helps avoid duplicated tests where possible.

Recovery depends on the type of operation. After a lumpectomy, most patients feel comfortable within two to three weeks and can return to most normal activities within four. Major procedures such as mastectomy or reconstruction take longer — typically six to eight weeks before you feel broadly well, with continued improvement over several months. Dr Tsang-Wright will give specific timelines at your pre-operative appointment.

You should not drive until you can perform an emergency stop without hesitation and are not taking prescription opioid pain relief. For most breast procedures this is typically two to four weeks after the operation, though it varies — the functional test (emergency stop without hesitation, off prescription opioids, insurer satisfied) matters more than a fixed date. Your insurer may have its own requirements — check your policy before driving. The after surgery page includes a detailed guide.

For desk-based work, many patients return within two to four weeks of a straightforward lumpectomy. More physically demanding roles, or recovery after reconstruction, may require six to twelve weeks off. Dr Tsang-Wright will provide a fit note if needed and can tailor the timing to your job and the procedure performed.

Drains — small tubes that remove fluid from around the wound — are used after some operations, particularly mastectomy and axillary surgery. Whether you will need one, and for how long, depends on what is done. If you go home with a drain, the nursing team will show you how to manage it and arrange a removal appointment. Full details are in the after surgery guide.

Your first follow-up is usually one to two weeks after surgery to check the wound (most breast procedures use absorbable sutures, so visible sutures are uncommon) and discuss pathology results. Further appointments are scheduled to review final pathology findings and any additional treatment recommendations. Dr Tsang-Wright coordinates closely with your oncology team to ensure a joined-up plan.

If breast cancer surgery or significant risk-reducing surgery is being considered, Dr Tsang-Wright will outline whether immediate or delayed reconstruction might be appropriate and point you to reconstruction guides. Not every first visit is about cancer surgery — benign and diagnostic appointments may not need reconstruction discussion. See breast reconstruction services and delayed reconstruction in the glossary.

A second opinion consultation follows the same format as any first appointment: a full history, review of your existing investigations, and a clinical examination if relevant. Dr Tsang-Wright will provide an independent assessment of your diagnosis and discuss alternative approaches where appropriate. You will receive a written summary to share with your existing team if you wish. See the second opinion page for how to prepare.

Yes — the more information you can bring, the more useful the appointment will be. Bring all imaging (on CD or digital copy if possible), pathology reports, clinic letters, and any treatment plan already proposed. If you cannot obtain the originals, Dr Tsang-Wright can review copies or request records on your behalf with your consent. See the second opinion page for a full preparation checklist.

Second opinions are a normal and expected part of cancer care, and any reputable clinician will support your wish to seek one. Dr Tsang-Wright will write a consultation summary that you can share with your existing team if you choose. The appointment does not commit you to any change of care provider.

Absolutely. A second opinion is exactly that — an independent view. Whether you proceed with Dr Tsang-Wright or return to your existing team is entirely your decision. There is no obligation to transfer care, and the consultation will not disrupt any plans already in place.