For Families · Partners · Adult Children · London
When it’s your mum, your dad or your partner. This page is for you.
Someone you love has been given a diagnosis, a long wait, or the words “there’s nothing more we can do” — and you’re the one doing the searching. You don’t need to understand thoracic surgery to take the next step. You need to know what to gather, who to call, and what it will cost to get a clear answer.
Four ways to take the first step
You can do this on their behalf. Nothing is a commitment until they have spoken to us and chosen to go ahead.
Book a consultation for them
Online, in about two minutes. Put your own name as the contact and theirs as the patient.
Book now →Ask a question first
Tell us what they’ve been told. Namita replies the same business day, with no obligation.
Send a message →Call 020 7459 4367
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Say you’re calling about a family member.
020 7459 4367WhatsApp the practice
Good for a first question late at night — it’s answered the next morning.
Message on WhatsApp →Each leads to a page written for that condition
What they have in common: a consultation usually changes something — the plan, the timeline, or simply how clearly the situation is understood.
They’ve been told surgery isn’t possible
Whether a lung cancer can be operated on depends on who reviews the scans and what techniques they have available. Some patients told they are inoperable are candidates for keyhole or robotic surgery; some are not.
They’re on an NHS waiting list
A diagnosis is in hand but the appointment or the operation is months away. A private consultation this week can confirm the plan, or carry out surgery privately while NHS care continues around it.
An older parent has broken ribs after a fall
Rib fractures in older people are not minor. Pain that stops deep breathing leads to chest infections. Where several ribs are broken or the pain can’t be controlled, fixing them is an option — and the window is days.
A scan found something — a nodule, a shadow, fluid
Most nodules are benign, but “we’ll re-scan in a year” is hard to live with. A specialist review of the images gives a clear plan: watch, biopsy or remove.
Years of chest or rib pain that no one can explain
Pain that has been called muscular, anxiety or “just one of those things” sometimes has a structural cause — slipping rib syndrome, for example — that can be diagnosed in one examination.
Fluid on the lung that keeps coming back
Repeated drains are exhausting for the patient and for the family driving them to hospital. There are definitive options that stop the fluid returning.
What you can do tonight, tomorrow and this week
Most families find the hardest part is not knowing where to begin. Begin here.
Gather what already exists
You don’t need to understand it — just collect it in one place.
- The scan report (CT, PET-CT or X-ray) — the letter usually says which hospital did it
- Any clinic letters, especially one mentioning “MDT” or a stage
- The exact words they were told, and by whom
- Their insurer and policy number, if they have cover
→ If you can’t get the documents, the practice requests them from the hospital directly
Talk to them, then contact us
Send a message or call. Say you’re getting in touch for a family member.
- Namita will explain what’s needed, check insurance, and speak to them directly to confirm they’re happy to be seen
- The practice requests the scans from the hospital — you don’t have to chase them
→ Same business day reply by email or phone
The consultation
In person or by video, with you in the room if they’d like. Mr Scarci has already read the scans and letters before you arrive.
- They leave with a diagnosis, the options, and a written plan with a timeline
- A letter goes to their GP and NHS team, so nothing is done behind anyone’s back
→ Most patients are seen within one week of first contact
How it works when you’re not the patient
You can make the first contact, book the appointment and be the person the practice deals with for arrangements. Two things are needed for it to work well.
Their agreement
They need to be happy to be seen and to have their records shared. Namita will speak to them directly, briefly, to confirm this. It protects them and it protects you.
→ If they can’t take part in decisions about their own care, say so on the first call
Their details
Full name, date of birth, phone number and, if insured, their policy details. Put your own name and number as the contact.
→ You can attend the consultation in person or join a video call from wherever you are
Most patients want someone else there to listen and take notes. Most families want to hear the answers first-hand. Both are welcome in the room.
It will not upset their NHS team
This is the worry families mention most, so it’s worth saying plainly.
Second opinions are expected
They are a normal part of cancer and surgical care. Good clinicians expect them and do not take them personally.
NHS entitlement is unaffected
Nobody loses their place, their oncologist or their follow-up by seeking a private opinion.
Mr Scarci writes to the NHS team
A letter with his findings goes to the existing team so everyone works from the same information.
Mixed care is common
Many patients have surgery privately and continue chemotherapy, immunotherapy or surveillance on the NHS. Mr Scarci coordinates the handover personally.
If the original advice was right, you will be told that clearly. That answer still has value — it’s the difference between wondering and knowing.
For many families the only cost is the first consultation
That is where the clear answer comes from.
£300–£400
Depending on the hospital. Imaging review is included; there is no charge for reading scans in advance.
Patient’s own policy
The patient’s own policy can be used, and the practice handles pre-authorisation and billing. A family member’s policy generally cannot be used for a parent unless they are named on it.
All-inclusive written quote
A written, all-inclusive quote is given before anything is booked. The cost estimator gives a realistic range now.
Cost estimator →Finance available
Invoices can be settled by a family member. 0% finance is available.
See costs and pricing →Questions worth asking their current team
These questions get useful answers from any hospital. Write the answers down — they are exactly what Mr Scarci will want to know. If you can’t get them, that’s fine — the practice will get them.
Stage and MDT discussion
What stage is it, and has the multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussed surgery?
Why surgery was ruled out
If surgery was ruled out — was it because of the tumour’s position, lung function, other health conditions, or something else?
Scan report and MDT letter
Can we have a copy of the scan report and the MDT outcome letter?
Transferring the scans
Can the scans be sent to another hospital, or put on a disc for us?
Timeline and second opinion
What is the timeline for the next step, and what happens if we want a second opinion in the meantime?
How to raise it with them
Older parents in particular can feel that going private is disloyal to the NHS, a fuss, or an expense they don’t want you to carry. These are the framings families tell us worked.
Make it about a clear answer, not about going private
“I’ve found a specialist who reviews cases like yours. Would you let him look at your scans, so we know for certain what the options are?” Most people will agree to a second look; far fewer will agree to “going private”, which sounds like a decision has already been made.
Take the admin off them
“You don’t have to do anything — I’ll make the calls and get the scans sent. All you’d need to do is turn up, or sit next to me on a video call.” Effort is often the real objection.
Separate the first step from the rest
“It’s one appointment. If he says the current plan is the right one, that’s the end of it and we’ll know.” The consultation is complete in itself; nobody is being signed up for surgery.
Say why it matters to you
“I’d find it much easier to support you if I understood what’s actually possible.” People who won’t do something for themselves will often do it for their children or partner.
“I was diagnosed in March with a rare condition. My local hospital said it was inoperable due to the size of the mass. In what was a life-changing situation for me, Mr Scarci reassured me the thymoma was resectable. I was confident in his ability and felt my life was safe in his hands. I was booked for surgery the following week where he successfully removed the entire tumour.”
“I have just had a first, remote consultation with Mr Scarci. I am completely stunned and so happy to have found him. In one consultation, he offered clarity on conditions I have been trying to speak to doctors about and get help for some two years, and a positive plan forward.”
Questions we’re asked most often
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Yes. You can make the first contact and handle all the arrangements. The practice will speak to the patient directly — briefly — at some point before the appointment to confirm they’re happy to be seen. This is standard and protects everyone.
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Not necessarily. Operability decisions depend on surgical experience, technique, and how the imaging is interpreted. Mr Scarci has reviewed cases told inoperable elsewhere and proceeded with surgery. One specialist’s opinion is not the same as a universal limit on what is possible.
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No. Second opinions are a normal part of cancer and surgical care. Mr Scarci writes to the NHS team with his findings, so everyone is working from the same information. NHS entitlement is completely unaffected.
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Generally no — health insurance covers the named policyholder. The patient’s own policy, if they have one, is what would cover the treatment. If they’re self-pay, the invoice can be settled by anyone. Finance is also available.
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Yes. Most patients want someone there to listen and take notes; most families want to hear the answers first-hand. Both are welcome. For video consultations, you can join from a separate location if needed.
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Most patients are seen within one week of first contact. Urgent cases can be seen the same day or next day. For patients who cannot travel, a video consultation is available immediately.
Tell us what they’ve been told
Use the form for a first question — a sentence or two is enough. Namita replies the same business day and will tell you plainly whether it’s something Mr Scarci can help with. If you’re ready to book, the online booking takes about two minutes.
020 7459 4367
