Mr Nicholas Boyle

Nicholas Boyle is the founder of RefluxUK and one of the country’s leading experts in the surgical management of Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. He leads the Multi-Disciplinary Team.

He is based in central London at the Lister Hospital Chelsea and in Kent at The Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Nick is a specialist laparoscopic, upper Gastro-Intestinal and reflux surgeon. He trained in general surgery and subsequently specialist surgery of the oesophagus and stomach at Guys and St Thomas’ hospitals in London and in laparoscopic surgery at the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit in Guildford. He graduated from the University of Southampton and was awarded a Master of Surgery degree by London University. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Nick was appointed as a consultant surgeon in 2000.

Nick has become increasingly specialised over many years. He established the first multi-disciplinary team to manage Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease in 2013 and has performed the largest number of LINX® procedures in the UK. His centre has treated patients from all over the world.

In 2015 he established RefluxUK to introduce the multi-disciplinary team approach more widely for the benefit of the hundreds of thousands of people suffering from reflux.

A few facts about reflux from Nick as quoted by The Times. 

Each year there are over 60 million NHS prescriptions for the most powerful Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs such as Omeprazole.

This emphasises the fact that reflux is not caused by excessive acid production, but rather failure of the valve mechanism. This valve mechanism normally prevents the reflux of stomach contents into the oesophagus and up into the throat.

Some drugs actually stop acid production. H2 blockers including Ranitidine and Cimetidine can be bought over the counter. Their effect tends to wear off over time and so are less helpful as continuous treatment. Earlier this month both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published their decisions to review the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in medicines containing the ranitidine (also known as Zantac).

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.

The most powerful antacids are called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and include Omeprazole and Lanzoprazole. They should be taken half an hour or so before eating and reserved for patients who have more significant long-term symptoms, although low dose packs are available over the counter from chemists. Several studies published in recent years have linked these drugs with a variety of problems including mineral and vitamin deficiencies, gastro-intestinal infections, premature death, stomach cancer and bone fractures. However, at the moment, these drugs are generally regarded as being safe.