How to Book a Consultation for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery in the UK
You can book a private consultation for minimally invasive cardiac surgery directly with The Keyhole Heart Clinic, with appointments in London, Nottingham or online. Whether you need an initial surgical assessment or a second opinion on treatment already recommended, the consultation is an opportunity to understand your options before making a decision.
Being told that you need heart surgery can leave you with questions that are difficult to answer on your own. Does the operation have to involve dividing the breastbone? Could a keyhole approach be suitable? Which surgeon should you see, and what information will they need?
This guide explains how to arrange a specialist opinion, what the different consultation options involve, and how to prepare.
To discuss an appointment, contact The Keyhole Heart Clinic on 020 8079 7860.
I have been told I need open-heart surgery. Could I have keyhole surgery?
Possibly – but this requires an individual assessment, not a promise made before your investigations have been reviewed.
A recommendation for surgery through the breastbone does not, by itself, establish whether a minimally invasive approach is suitable. Equally, wanting keyhole surgery does not mean it will be the safest choice.
At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we assess patients for minimally invasive procedures including aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass surgery and atrial septal defect closure. Suitability depends on the condition, the proposed operation and the individual patient.
My starting point is not simply, “Can this be done through a smaller incision?” It is, “What treatment does this patient need, and which approach offers the most appropriate balance of safety, effectiveness and recovery?”
A second opinion should help you understand the reasons for a recommendation – not simply offer you a different operation.
Why seek a consultation with Mr Inderpaul Birdi?
I am a consultant cardiac surgeon with more than three decades of clinical experience and over 2,000 minimally invasive cardiac procedures performed during my career. My practice includes both conventional and keyhole heart surgery, with particular expertise in valve surgery and single-vessel and multivessel coronary bypass surgery.
When choosing a surgeon, I would encourage you to look beyond the term “minimally invasive”. Ask about their experience with the specific operation you need, their results and the team supporting them. These are more useful questions than whether a hospital offers keyhole surgery in general.
A consultation should also give you space to ask questions. You should understand not only which treatment is recommended, but why – and what the reasonable alternatives are.
How to book a keyhole heart surgery consultation: five practical steps
1. Tell the clinic what you have been advised
Start by contacting our team with a brief explanation of your situation. For example, you may have been diagnosed with a leaking mitral valve, advised to undergo aortic valve replacement, or told that you need coronary bypass surgery.
Mention whether you already have a diagnosis, whether another specialist has recommended treatment, and whether you are seeking an initial assessment or a second opinion. This helps establish the purpose of your appointment.
You do not need to have decided that you want surgery with us before making an enquiry.
2. Choose an initial consultation or a structured second opinion
An initial consultation is the starting point for discussing your symptoms, diagnosis, existing investigations and possible treatment options. It may identify the need for further tests before a firm recommendation can be made.
A structured second opinion is intended for patients who already have a diagnosis or treatment recommendation and want a further specialist assessment. At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, this service includes two consultations and multidisciplinary team review. The process provides a written report explaining the findings and recommendations, which you can discuss with your existing doctors.
A second opinion may confirm the original recommendation or identify another option. Its value is in helping you make an informed decision, rather than guaranteeing a different answer.
3. Decide between an online and an in-person appointment
An online consultation can be a useful first step when you already have cardiology letters, echocardiograms or other investigations available. It allows you to discuss your circumstances without travelling for the initial appointment.
An in-person consultation allows a physical examination as well as a discussion of your diagnosis and treatment options. An online assessment cannot replace an examination or additional investigations when these are needed.
My practice locations include Cromwell Hospital in London and The Park Hospital in Nottingham. Ask the booking team which location and appointment format would be appropriate for your circumstances.
4. Confirm the consultation fee and any insurance requirements
The Keyhole Heart Clinic’s published fees start at £325 for an online clinical assessment and £450 for a face-to-face assessment. The full second-opinion service, including two consultations and multidisciplinary team review, is available from £695. Confirm the applicable fee and what is included when booking.
Consultation fees are separate from the cost of surgery. Additional investigations, such as echocardiography, CT scans or blood tests, may also be charged separately.
For patients using private medical insurance, contact your insurer before the appointment. Confirm your outpatient cover, whether a referral and pre-authorisation are required, and whether the consultant and proposed hospital are covered by your policy. Ask about any excess or fee shortfall for which you would be responsible.
5. Arrange your records and prepare your questions
Where available, gather:
- Your latest cardiology letters and any written surgical recommendation.
- Echocardiogram, coronary angiogram, CT or MRI reports, together with access to the original images where possible.
- Your current medication list and details of previous cardiac treatment.
- A brief account of your symptoms, how they affect everyday life and the questions you most want answered.
Ask the team how to arrange transfer of your records and images. You can make an initial enquiry before everything has been collected.
What should I ask during the consultation?
The most useful questions relate to your individual circumstances.
Ask whether keyhole surgery is appropriate for your particular diagnosis and anatomy, and why the surgeon recommends it – or advises against it. Ask how frequently they perform the proposed operation and what outcome information they can share.
You should also understand your personal risks, what would happen if conversion to a conventional breastbone incision became necessary, and how complications would be managed. Discuss the likely interval between assessment and treatment, rather than assuming that booking a consultation means an operating date can immediately be confirmed.
I would also encourage you to explain what matters most to you. Being able to care for a partner, return to work or resume an activity can be an important part of the treatment discussion. The consultation should connect the medical decision with your life, without making promises about recovery that cannot be guaranteed.
What happens after the assessment?
The next step depends on whether the available information is sufficient to make a treatment recommendation. Further imaging or other investigations may be needed before the assessment can be completed.
Within the structured second-opinion service, multidisciplinary review brings together relevant specialist perspectives rather than relying on one opinion in isolation. You receive a written report that you can use when discussing the next steps with your existing clinical team. There is no obligation to proceed with treatment at The Keyhole Heart Clinic.
A pre-operative assessment is a separate, later stage. It is not the appointment you need to book simply to explore your options; it follows a decision to proceed with surgery and addresses preparation for the operation.
Can I arrange a consultation through the NHS instead?
Mr Birdi no longer works in the NHS. For an NHS assessment, speak to your GP or cardiologist about the appropriate specialist referral. The usual cardiac surgical pathway involves cardiology assessment followed, where indicated, by referral to a surgical team. Tell your referring doctor that you would like to understand whether minimally invasive surgery could be suitable.
In England, patient choice rights may apply to the hospital and consultant-led team for a first outpatient referral. Discuss the relevant options with your referring clinician; these arrangements are not a guarantee of a particular surgical technique.
A private second opinion provides another route to specialist advice, but it should not disrupt necessary care. When urgent treatment has been recommended, discuss the timing of any additional opinion with your current clinical team. Seeking another assessment can introduce delays that need to be considered.
Do I need a GP referral to book privately?
No you can simply contact us. Self-paying patients can book a clinical assessment directly with The Keyhole Heart Clinic without a GP referral. However, existing clinical correspondence remains useful, and your insurer may have its own referral requirements.
Obtaining a GP referral letter, even where direct booking is available, can help the specialist understand your medical background and support communication between the clinicians involved in your care.
Book a consultation with The Keyhole Heart Clinic
You do not need to decide which operation to have before seeking advice. The purpose of a specialist consultation is to help you understand whether treatment is needed, what options deserve consideration and what further information may be required.
To arrange an initial consultation or a heart surgery second opinion with Mr Inderpaul Birdi, call 020 8079 7860, email team@thekeyholeheartclinic.com, or use the clinic’s online enquiry form.
Appointments are available in London, Nottingham and online.
Request a specialist consultation and understand your options before deciding on treatment.
This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Suitability for minimally invasive heart surgery requires specialist assessment.
