National Institute of Health Research at the Royal College of Surgeons of England

I attended a meeting of the surgical group of the National Institute of Health Research at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This body co-ordinates and monitors important government funded surgical research projects throughout the country. I represent the West Anglian region and I am responsible for the conduct and progress of NIHR funded projects in that region.

Bateman Feast at Trinity Hall College

I attended the annual Bateman Feast at Trinity Hall College to commemorate the founding of the college by Bishop Bateman of Norwich in 1350. One of the privileges of working in Cambridge and being a member of the university is the opportunity to attend such splendid events and meet leading figures from the worlds of medicine, science, economics, politics and the arts. Conversations range from the latest scientific advances in one of Cambridge's Nobel Prize winning laboratories to the euro crisis with one of the world's leading economists. A truly inspiring event and my thanks to the Master and Fellows of the college for their kind invitation.

AGM Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital Medical Society

I chaired the AGM of the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital Medical Society. My presentation focussed on the latest developments in the General Medical Council's enhanced revalidation process for doctors which is being rolled out this year. As chairman of the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee I have been trained to perform these annual appraisals which are an integral part of revalidation which will grant each doctor in the UK a licence to practice. The role of the appraiser is essential to ensure that all consultants are up-to-date with the latest knowledge and techniques and practising medicine according to accepted standards for the protection of patients.

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital – Lecture on the latest developments in the treatment of varicose veins and thread veins

I was delighted to be invited to lecture on the latest developments in the treatment of varicose veins and thread veins to the nurses and clinical staff of the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital. Topics included my experience of treating many thousands of patients with established techniques such as the endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation treatment of varicose veins and the excellent results we have achieved. A description of our successful introduction of the latest Clarivein treatment of varicose veins as a walk-in, walk-out local anaesthetic technique and the role of injection microsclerotherapy and VeinWave for the treatment of thread veins and red veins. My sincere thanks go to the nurses and clinical staff for their excellent feedback.

My new book launches in New York

By the time you read this, I will be in New York promoting my new textbook, Outpatient Surgery.

The book was originally published in the UK, entitled General Surgery Outpatient Decisions, and I am delighted with the second edition which has been especially tailored to the American market.

I have worked on the book with Professor Alan Dardik, an associate professor at Yale, and whose father, Herbert, was one of the founders of modern vascular surgery – so much so that many of the instruments we use bare the Dardik name.

Michael Gaunt with Professor Alan Dardik launching their new book - Outpatient Surgery in New York

Alan and I struck up a friendship due to the close ties between Yale and Cambridge universities. I am part of a research group of Cambridge academics which annually attend the renowned American university or indeed host them in East Anglia.

When I showed Alan my textbook, he was very enthusiastic and thought there was scope for an American edition and I am delighted to have got various experts on board to write chapters for the book.

There has to be some differences between the UK and US editions as there are differences in the American healthcare system compared with the NHS – although when it comes to actual techniques there are a lot of similarities.

What is unique in the UK is the healthcare system is primary care, with patients going to GPs, while in America and most of the rest of the world, patients go direct to specialists.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to have my family accompanying me in New York which means I get to mix a little pleasure with business in one of the finest cities in the world.

The book will be out on April 30 and I will report back from my American adventures as soon as I get back.

First free consultations at Norwich Vein Clinic are a big success

On Saturday, I held my first free consultation clinic in the Spire Norwich Hospital and I am pleased to report it was a great success.

We had always felt there was a need in the city, that is why I joined forces with Jim Clarke, an established vascular surgeon to open the Norwich Vein Clinic.

Our first step was to mirror the successful free 15-minute clinics I had held in both Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. This gives people who are concerned about their veins the opportunity to come and speak to me free of charge before we decide if there is a problem and what the best course of action is.

The clinics are a great way to educate people about what treatments are out there. I sit down with them to discuss their ailments and decide how best to treat them.

There is no pressure, but if they want to be treated then they would come back for a full consultation before we start the work.

The fact that we had 20 potential new patients visit the consultation clinic shows there is a need and that people want to seek help about all manner of varicose problems.

I discussed with patients all the new techniques that can fight and cure varicose vein problems, including Clarivein and Microsclerotherapy.

We were surprised but delighted by the uptake and I will now be holding more clinics in Norwich, Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds over the coming months.

Keep checking this website and blog for all the latest dates or contact my secretary Debbie on 01223 305858.

Announcing the launch of the Norwich Vein Clinic at the Spire Norwich Hospital

Mr Gaunt is pleased to announce an exciting new development at the Spire Norwich Hospital. People with venous problems from Norfolk and the Norwich area can now see Mr Gaunt for consultations and have their treatments at the Spire Norwich Hospital. This is a joint venture with vascular surgeon Mr Jim Clarke and will be known as the Norwich Vein Clinic.

Mr Gaunt says “I am very excited about this new development at the Spire Norwich Hospital. In the past patients from Norwich had to travel to see me at one of my other hospitals but this new arrangement will be much more convenient. Jim Clarke and I have been friends and colleagues for many years and we have come together with the aim of providing patients in the Norwich area with the very latest minimally invasive and local anaesthetic techniques for the treatment of varicose and thread veins”.

For appointments patients can either contact Mr Gaunt’s secretary Debbie on 01223 305858 or via the Spire Norwich Hospital (01603 255614) and ask for appointments and the Norwich Vein Clinic.