Breast Care in Brighton

Delivered by experts in breast care

Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital’s Breast Care service provides patients with a fast and effective diagnosis and initial treatment for anyone with a breast problem. This dedicated service is delivered by experts in breast care, including consultant breast surgeons and our diagnostic imaging team.

If you have been referred by your GP to be seen by a specialist, or have concerns that you would like to discuss, please contact us today on 01273 624 488. If you would like some further information about our clinic, please see our frequently asked questions below:

I would like to see a breast specialist as soon as possible, how do I get an appointment?

We advise that you call our Breast Clinic on 01273 624 488, whereby we will be able to advise you about what the next steps would be.

How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital Breast Care appointments are available throughout the week. Once we have spoken to you we will arrange your first appointment, based on your availability.

I have been told I need to see a breast specialist / have been referred to a breast clinic on the NHS, can I still come to Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital?

Yes, you will be able to come Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital. 

Once we have discussed your individual circumstances, we can then explain what the next steps would be. When you become a patient, we will contact your GP to let them know you have been seen by us. 

You GP will also be told about any tests or treatments carried out, so that they are aware of the treatment you are having. This means that all necessary people are informed of what you are having done and who you are being seen by.

How do I pay for Breast Care services?

There are two ways to pay:

• If you have private medical insurance, for example, through an employer or a personal policy, it is likely your treatment will be covered through your insurance
• Normally, your insurance provider will require a GP referral in order to permit cover before you can see a specialist
• This is to make sure that you don’t see somebody without insurance cover, which could result in you getting charged directly for that appointment
• It is always worthwhile to call your insurance provider to gain an understanding of what treatment will be covered, as this can be different for each policy and insurance provider
• If you do not have private insurance, you would be paying for your treatment yourself
• There will be different costs, depending on what you need to have carried out
• We will always talk to you about any costs involved before any diagnostics or treatment is carried out
• Please see below for information about the prices, as well as what is included in the price.

What happens when I have made an appointment?

We will confirm your appointment by phone, once we have spoken to you. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend the appointment, please let us know so that we can rearrange to a more suitable time.

What happens at my first appointment?

• Your first appointment will be with one of our consultant breast surgeons
• The appointment will last for 15 minutes and will take place in the outpatient department
• The consultant will talk to you about your concerns and discuss the symptoms you may have, they may then carry out an examination of your breasts
• After you have been examined, the consultant will decide what needs to happen next
• If further investigations are required you may be referred for diagnostic tests
• This could be an ultrasound, a digital mammogram, fine needle aspiration or biopsy
• It is possible that you may need a combination of these diagnostic tests
• We will let you know which diagnostics you require, based on your particular circumstances, as well as any costs involved if you are paying for your treatment yourself.

What is a digital mammogram?

A digital mammogram is used to take a detailed picture of the breast and allows a specialist to see the breast tissue or any areas of suspicion, in more detail. We currently have a state of the art digital mammography unit.

What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound imaging, also known as ultrasound scanning, is also used to show a picture of the breast. It uses sound waves to produce these pictures and allows a ‘real time’ view of the breast. A specialist consultant radiologist will perform the ultrasound.

What is a biopsy?

Once a physician has examined your breasts with ultrasound, they may choose to perform an ultrasound-guided biopsy. A biopsy is used to remove some cells in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. An ultrasound examination is usually performed before a biopsy is carried out, so that it can be decided if the biopsy is necessary.

When do I get my results?

You will often have tests results back on the same day. If you are having a biopsy carried out, these results will be back 7-10 days following the biopsy has been carried out. We will keep you informed of when you can expect your test results during your time with us.

What if I can’t afford the treatment?

• We will always be upfront about any expected costs for diagnostics or treatment
• We will inform you of the costs before any diagnostic examination or treatment is carried out, so that you have time to decide if you would like to go ahead
• Please see our information about costs here
• Please remember that costs for treatment may vary depending on your personal circumstances.

What if I want to return to the NHS after being seen at The Breast Clinic?

You can return back to the NHS at any point during your treatment. If you return to the care of the NHS you will be seen and, if necessary, operated on within 30 days.

Who are the consultant breast care specialists?

Please see below our breast care consultants who practice at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital:

• Mr Charles Zammit