Dr Vijay Chakravarti
Qualifications
MBBS , DCH , FRCPCH, MRCP
GMC number: 3160864
Practising since: 1989
Specialties
Paediatrics
Sub-specialties: Paediatric immunology, infectious diseases and allergy
- Overview
About
Dr Chakravarti trained for the MBBS degree and MD (Paediatrics) in Mumbai (India). He then worked in the UK, (MRCP, DCH) and in the Paediatric Residency Program in the USA at The Columbia University Paediatric Residency Programme (New York, St Lukes/Roosevelt Hospitals), and The Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia (Medical Centre of Delaware). He completed his Fellowship training in Allergy & Clinical Immunology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 1987-89). His research interests were in Immunodeficiency, bone marrow transplantation and clinical allergy.
Dr Chakravarti was an NHS Consultant for over 20 years at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex; taking early retirement in 2014. During this time he was variously the Clinical Director for Child Health, Royal College Tutor for Junior doctors, Specialist Trainer in Child Health and Lead Allergist, and facilitated a range of specialist paediatric services. He was awarded the “Princess Award' in 2002 for clinical excellence, by his NHS Trust, and the “Allergy Healthcare Professional Hero” award by Allergy UK (2016) after being nominated by one of his patients. He has also held honorary appointments at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and St Thomas' Hospital. Dr Vijay Chakravarti is a Consultant Paediatrician and Allergy specialist at Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital.
Dr Chakravarti's approach is to look at the whole patient and not only the presenting problem. He also likes to empower the patient (or parent) to become knowledgeable about their medical problems and believes that treating a patient is a collaboration between the parent/patient and the doctor. He has a holistic view of patient care in this respect.
Dr Chakravarti does not treat drug allergy, as this
requires day-case investigations, resources for which are not available in the
private sector.
Special interests
Children
Dr Chakravarti sees children with a variety of general paediatric problems such as respiratory, kidney/bladder problems, and gastrointestinal problems. Because of his allergy and immunology training, he has a special interest in allergy, immunology and infectious diseases. He has a particular interest in children with gastrointestinal, respiratory, or recurrent infectious problems.
Allergy (Adults Only)
He has trained and specialised in allergy (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and this extends to all allergy problems including hay fever, asthma, urticaria, gastrointestinal allergy problems including reflux disease, and food intolerances. He is particularly interested in food allergy problems in children and adults, including babies with reflux and adults with IBS symptoms due to food allergy.
He performs allergy testing such as skin prick testing and blood tests (not patch testing which is done for contact dermatitis, by dermatologists). Allergy treatment is with medicines, avoidance of the allergen, or a procedure called desensitisation (oral desensitization, Dr Chakravarti no longer practices injectable desensitisation).
Personal interests
Dr Chakravarti has relocated to Devon with his family, and is very interested in environmental issues, and nature.
Locations Dr Vijay Chakravarti works with
Related experience
Memberships
- Fellow, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health
- Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine (FRSM)
- British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
- European Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
Insurers Dr Vijay Chakravarti works with
Dr Vijay Chakravarti works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aetna
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- Benenden Health
- Bupa
- Cigna
- Simplyhealth
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
Declaration
Dr Vijay Chakravarti does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Dr Vijay Chakravarti does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Dr Vijay Chakravarti does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.