Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest

Qualifications

MBChB, PhD, FRCS

GMC number: 4322652

Practising since: 1996

Specialties

General Surgery

Consultation times

  • Wednesday (fortnightly)
  • Thursday (fortnightly)
  • Overview
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01782 432227

About

Mr Priest is a highly experienced Consultant General Surgeon who specialises in upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, laparoscopic (keyhole) procedures and complex hernia repairs. He graduated from the University of Manchester in 1996 and completed advanced surgical training at leading centres in London and across the UK.

He is committed to providing personalised, high‑quality care in a safe and reassuring environment. His patient‑centred approach ensures that individuals fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options and the recommended plan. Mr Priest is known for his clear communication, modern surgical techniques and strong focus on achieving excellent clinical outcomes. He is widely regarded by patients seeking expert care for upper GI, gallbladder and hernia conditions.


Advanced Training & Surgical Expertise

After completing his specialist surgical training in London, Mr Priest undertook a surgical oncology fellowship with Professor Hanna at St Mary’s Hospital in 2010, gaining advanced experience in cancer‑related upper GI surgery. He was appointed as a Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in 2011.

To further strengthen his laparoscopic skills, he trained at the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit (MATTU), an internationally recognised centre for keyhole surgery. During this time, he developed specialist expertise in:

  • Advanced laparoscopic upper GI surgery
  • Minimally invasive hernia repair, including the TEP (totally extraperitoneal) technique

He also trained with Professor Griffin at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, home to Europe’s largest oesophagogastric unit, where he gained significant experience in complex oesophageal and stomach surgery.

Special interests

Mr. Priest provides expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of general surgical and upper GI conditions, including:

  • Gallstones and gallbladder disease
  • Gastro‑oesophageal reflux disease 
  • Dyspepsia and indigestion
  • Oesophageal motility disorders
  • All types of abdominal wall hernia (inguinal, umbilical, incisional, recurrent)
  • Hiatus hernia and related symptoms

He offers minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery wherever appropriate to support quicker recovery, less postoperative discomfort, and reduced scarring.

Other interests

  • Oesophagogastric cancer
  • Oesophageal physiology and manometry

Personal interests

Running, hiking and football, and teaching classical guitar.
Rugby coach to the Under-8s at Eccleshall RUFC.

Treatments and tests offered by Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest at Nuffield Health

  • Gastroesophageal
  • Appendicectomy
  • Gastroscopy (or gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy)
  • Open surgery groin hernia repair
  • Umbilical hernia repair
  • Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
  • Reflux surgery (fundoplication)
  • Hernia repair
  • Sleeve gastrectomy
  • Bilateral inguinal hernia repair
  • Excision of skin lesion
  • Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal)
  • Laparoscopic groin hernia repair
  • Diagnostic endoscopy
  • Laparoscopic reflux surgery (fundoplication)
  • Abdominal adhesion surgery
  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
  • Hernia unilateral
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)

Locations Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest works with

Related experience

Research

Mr Priest has a comprehensive academic training in cancer biology and surgical oncology, having completed a full time postgraduate research post leading to the successful award of a PhD degree from Imperial College London for his thesis on the role of heme oxygenase in oesophagogastric cancer.  
The main areas of research included investigating the spectrum of volatile compounds released from gastric headspace and compared the profile of gaseous metabolites in the exhaled breath of patients with oesophagogastric cancer to that of age-matched controls.  
Mr Priest gained practical experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, Western blotting, immunostaining and microscopy, with expertise in molecular biology techniques.  He received formal training in project management, communication skills, group dynamics and research methodology and successfully submitted numerous clinical studies for local ethics committee approval.  He presented his work at various national and international forums.  He has published in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored a number of book chapters relating to recent surgical innovations.

Mr Priest developed and co-authored new national guidelines for the safe insertion of nasogastric tubes on behalf of the National Patient Safety Agency.  He is currently recruiting patients into high-quality NIHR portfolio studies and is the local Principal Investigator for national clinical trials.  

Memberships

  • Association of Upper GI Surgeons of Great Britain (AUGIS)
  • Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ALSGBI)
  • International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE)
  • European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)

Other posts held

  • Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal & Laparoscopic Surgeon, University Hospitals North Midlands

Insurers Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest works with

Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest works with the following private medical insurance providers:

  • Aviva Health
  • AXA Health
  • Benenden Health
  • Bupa
  • AXA - Global Healthcare
  • Bupa On Demand
  • Cigna
  • Vitality Health (Pru Health)
  • Westfield Health WPA
  • Freedom Health
  • Healix

Declaration

Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.

Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.

Mr Oliver Hartwell Priest does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.