Sandison Lang interview with Dr Edward Stoner
This was not originally available in the NHS, in fact, not even in many private hospitals initially because the kits cost around £30,000 when they were first introduced.
I took a leap of faith and invested to buy a kit myself rather than waiting for hospitals to set up services. The risk paid off as I was able to establish one of the first private services and I believe it paid for itself after around 100 patients in an 18 month period.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career?
I have been through a lot of medical management posts in the NHS but the most rewarding thing is my private practice. It’s fundamentally how I want to practise medicine – giving patients the time and providing individual care.
Yes we had a great, fun team in Manchester where I did my first house jobs. Dr David Maxton who was a gastroenterologist and Professor Trudie Roberts, a physician.
David was also good friends with Dr Colin Ainley in London and between them, they got me on the London rotation. It rains an awful lot in Manchester so moving back was always on the cards.
Now I teach not only trainees but also consultant colleagues in therapeutic endoscopic techniques so they can provide a service when I am not around and take over eventually.
Do you have projects on the go or retirement plans?
Dr Edward Stoner graduated from Manchester University Medical School in 1990 and undertook specialist gastroenterology training at the Royal London Hospital and district general hospitals.
He was awarded a MD for his thesis on Sphincter of Oddi manometry by the University of London in 2000 and in the same year was appointed Consultant Gastroenterologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Why medicine?
Medicine was by default – I was at a state comprehensive and was reasonably clever in the class so as a result we were pushed into medicine or dentistry or something similar. I was more science based so moved towards medicine but there were no other medics in my family.
At the beginning, as undergraduates, the rote learning that we had to do to learn anatomy was not my forte. Medicine didn’t click for me really until I got into seeing patients and began to enjoy the clinical side of things. At that stage, everything slotted into place.
Why gastroenterology?
I wanted to do something practical but didn’t fancy the surgical exams. I didn’t want to do any more anatomy and thought I had done enough. I did an elective in gastro in Jersey and had a great time there. I used to do a lot of sailing and all the local doctors had yachts so it was a really enjoyable time.
You have witnessed amazing advances in technology in your career…
When I first started you looked down the scopes directly as there was no video endoscopy at that point. That’s the big, fundamental change – not craning your neck down to see things but looking up at digital images on a screen.
We also have capsule endoscopy now where patients can swallow a pill containing tiny cameras that send information to data recorders.
The NHS can be a bit ‘fire and forget’ medicine. You send off patients for tests and hope they come back. They may not even see you if and when they do come back. With private practice, it is much more individualised. You provide the care directly and it’s rewarding.
For example, I saw a young lady recently who I have known for 20 years. I first saw her when she was 15 and she’s now 35. She trains guide dog puppies and she’s on number eight now which is another indication of how long we’ve known each other.
Do you still have an NHS base?
I have one session alternate weeks providing therapeutic endoscopy and the more tricky stuff that the hospital is unable to provide.
In the pandemic I went back into the NHS and provided support together with another colleague who is also largely private. Therapeutic endoscopies were continuing so we were able to help. It was nice to go back to the wards although I am glad I am not doing it all the time.
I have thoroughly enjoyed medicine but it is different now. I wouldn’t want to spend the time doctors do on computers. I much prefer seeing patients on the ward and wouldn’t want to document everything which is the requirement these days.
Have you moved to video call consultations?
We can video call or telephone but the vast majority of appointments are back to being face to face which is much better. The patients want to see the doctor and it is much more productive all round.
The art of medicine is largely listening so you can do that by phone taking the history etc but it is much easier to keep the patient focussed when meeting in person, calming their concerns and developing the line of questioning from cues and feedback.
Have you had a mentor in your career?
I am strategically planning my retirement and this year I aim to complete a medicolegal certification. I have done a bit of this work but not much because of lack of time. It is a five-day course with Bond Solon with certification by Cardiff University. My son is studying there so we will both be students.
The idea is that I can then work remotely as and when I want to. We have a place abroad so this will provide a degree of freedom.
I don’t want to retire completely on one day as that does not seem particularly healthy but I also do not want to work until I’m 70 and not have time to enjoy retirement.
How do you relax?
I am a keen kite surfer and currently planning my annual trip to Dakhla in Morocco. This is a big lagoon in the western Sahara. Just like skiers checking the snow forecast I’m now starting to look at the weather to see if it’s going to be windy.
It can feel a little like being on an Exocet missile flying through the air and I definitely drank some of the lagoon the first time I was there but I really enjoy it. I love all water activities.
Best piece of advice received or given?
For me it’s work hard but play hard. You need to reap the rewards of this career and holidays are very important.
We all need our down time. I already have, and always have had, dates in the diary when I can take time off. We work long hours and we deserve the reward that goes with it.