Mr William Thomas
Qualifications
BSc, MBBS, FRCS
GMC number: 6028849
Practising since: 2001
Specialties
Orthopaedic surgery
Sub-specialties: Elbow and Shoulder surgery
Consultation times
- Tuesdays
- Overview
About
Mr William Thomas is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in shoulder surgery. He has been a consultant in Exeter since 2013 and has particular expertise in shoulder replacement surgery, including anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement, as well as arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery, rotator cuff repair, shoulder instability and frozen shoulder.
His specialist interests include joint replacement and robotic-assisted shoulder surgery, and he is actively involved in research, surgical education and the development of new shoulder replacement technology. Mr Thomas has longstanding expertise in complex elbow surgery and, since its establishment in 2022, has been a specialist surgeon within the Peninsula Elbow Network Hub, the regional referral centre for complex elbow conditions and elbow replacement surgery. From October 2026, he will be Clinical Director for Orthopaedics – Eastern Services at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Education
Mr Thomas qualified from University College
London Medical School in 2001. He moved to the West Country for his surgical
training in Bath and his Orthopaedic training in Bristol. He undertook
the prestigious Australian Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship in Geelong, Victoria
with Professor Richard Page before taking up his consultant post.
Mr Thomas became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2011 and a Consultant in Exeter in 2013.
Teaching
Mr Thomas has a keen interest in medical education. He has been involved in the education of medical students from the UK and abroad. He trains orthopaedic surgical trainees and takes particular pride in training Fellows at the Exeter Shoulder & Elbow Unit before they move onto their consultant posts.
Treatments:
- Shoulder replacement
- Anatomic (total) shoulder replacement
- Reverse shoulder replacement
- Shoulder hemiarthroplasty, including PyroCarbon
- Rotator cuff repair
- Shoulder arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)
- Shoulder stabilisation
- Frozen shoulder treatment
- AC joint surgery
- Elbow replacement surgery
Personal interests
Outside of work, sport has played a great part in Mr Thomas’ life and remains his main outlet for relaxation. He is a retired rugby player and triathlete. Being by the sea has also re-ignited a youthful passion for dinghy sailing, kite surfing and wing foiling. He is also an enthusiastic marathon runner and Exmouth Harrier, still chasing PBs!
Treatments and tests offered by Mr William Thomas at Nuffield Health
- Shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair)
- Shoulder stabilisation surgery
- Shoulder manipulation
- Joint resurfacing
- Manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA)
- Shoulder replacement
- Elbow surgery
- Tennis elbow release
Locations Mr William Thomas works with
Related experience
Research
High-quality and relevant research underpins Mr Thomas' practice. He has contributed to this body of knowledge throughout his career and continually seeks novel and innovative ways of improving the care he provides for his patients. The Exeter Shoulder & Elbow Unit is active in both local and national projects.
He has a portfolio of research exploring the biomechanics of the shoulder joint, the causes and treatment of frozen shoulder, and the management of shoulder joint infection. His major research interest is shoulder replacement technology. He was an early adopter of stemless shoulder replacement and has followed the outcomes of this technology over the long term, with his Exeter series now reaching ten-year follow-up.
Since 2018, Mr Thomas has been the UK surgical representative on Stryker's international research and development programme for MAKO robotic-assisted shoulder replacement, working with an international group of surgeons and engineers to develop the technology ahead of its introduction into clinical practice.
Memberships
- British Orthopaedic Association
- British Shoulder and Elbow Society
Other posts held
- Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital
- Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Insurers Mr William Thomas works with
Mr William Thomas works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- AXA - Global Healthcare
- Benenden Health
- Bupa
- Bupa On Demand
- Cigna
- The Exeter
- Simplyhealth
- Universal Provident
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
- WPA
Declaration
Mr William Thomas does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Mr William Thomas does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Mr William Thomas does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.