Mr Rhys Thomas

Mr Rhys Thomas’s practice at Welbeck Health in central London focuses on specialist assessment and management of complex abdominal wall conditions, alongside advanced hernia and upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Welbeck provides an ideal environment for detailed evaluation, multidisciplinary discussion, and the development of tailored treatment strategies for both routine and highly complex cases.

I have a particular subspecialist interest in abdominal wall reconstruction and manage a high volume of patients with large incisional hernias, recurrent hernias, loss-of-domain defects, and those requiring re-operative abdominal wall surgery. These cases are frequently complex and benefit from structured multidisciplinary input, careful preoperative optimisation, and a clearly defined operative plan aimed at restoring both function and structural integrity of the abdominal wall.

My approach incorporates contemporary reconstructive techniques, including component separation, advanced mesh strategies, and the use of adjunctive pre-operative botulinum toxin to facilitate fascial closure in demanding cases. In addition, I undertake minimally invasive inguinal and ventral hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, anti-reflux surgery, and diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, where appropriate.

A central component of my practice is multidisciplinary working. At Welbeck, patients are assessed with a view to coordinated care planning, often involving input from radiology, anaesthesia, physiotherapy, and other relevant specialties.

Where complex reconstruction is required, surgery is undertaken in fully resourced hospital settings, ensuring access to the appropriate perioperative support and critical care facilities.

I chair the South London Regional Complex Hernia and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction MDT, providing tertiary-level decision support for complex cases and supporting referring clinicians across a wide network. This role underpins my commitment to collaborative, evidence-based care and optimal patient outcomes.

I am a former Board Member of the British Hernia Society and served on both its Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Subcommittee and Registry Subcommittee. I am committed to driving excellence and maintaining the highest standards in hernia surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Alongside my clinical work, I serve as Clinical Chair at Shirley Oaks Hospital (Circle Health Group), with a focus on clinical governance, safety systems, and service development. I lead structured review of outcomes and incidents, working closely with executive teams to ensure high standards of patient-centred care and continuous quality improvement.

With over a decade of consultant experience, my practice is defined by technical precision, careful patient selection, and a strong emphasis on safety and long-term outcomes.

I live in South London with my family. Outside of clinical practice, I enjoy golf, playing to a single-figure handicap, as well as cycling. I also have a keen interest in film, enjoy London’s restaurant scene, and travel regularly abroad.