Mr Benjamin Tan is a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal and Oesophago-Gastric Surgeon based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. He specialises in the management of complex upper GI conditions and offers private consultations and surgery at HCA The Harborne Hospital and The Priory Hospital, Birmingham.
Mr Tan graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2003 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB ChB). He went on to complete a Doctorate in Medicine (MD) at the University of Edinburgh in 2012. His research into cancer cachexia—a condition characterised by severe weight loss and muscle wasting in cancer patients—was funded by a European Union research grant and resulted in several academic publications in peer-reviewed medical journals.
Mr Tan undertook higher surgical training in the East Midlands Deanery, with a focus on general and upper GI surgery. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in 2014 and completed his specialist training (CCT) in 2016. He then completed a subspecialist oesophago-gastric fellowship at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, gaining advanced experience in minimally invasive and open techniques for managing benign and malignant upper GI diseases.
Mr Tan is fully trained in laparoscopic (keyhole) and open surgery and has a particular interest in the surgical management of complex hernias and upper gastrointestinal disorders. His clinical interests include:
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Femoral and umbilical hernia repair
- Hiatal and para-oesophageal hernias
- Incisional and recurrent hernias
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery
He routinely performs laparoscopic hernia repair, which allows for faster recovery, reduced pain and lower recurrence rates for many types of abdominal wall hernias. He also manages large or recurrent incisional hernias using advanced techniques including mesh repair and component separation.
In his NHS role at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mr Tan is part of the regional oesophago-gastric cancer surgical team, providing multidisciplinary care for patients with upper GI malignancies. He is experienced in performing complex oesophagectomies and gastrectomies, including minimally invasive and hybrid procedures.
Mr Tan continues to contribute to research and medical education. He is a tutor on the Masters of Surgical Sciences programme at the University of Edinburgh, delivering online teaching to surgical trainees. He also teaches undergraduate medical students from the University of Birmingham, helping them develop core clinical and surgical knowledge.
His ongoing research interests focus on nutritional status, body composition, and their impact on outcomes after major GI surgery, particularly in cancer patients. He is actively involved in collaborative research networks and presents his work at national and international surgical meetings.
In private practice at HCA The Harborne Hospital and The Priory Hospital, Mr Tan offers patients rapid access to consultations and surgical treatment for a range of conditions, including:
- Groin and abdominal wall hernias
- Complex or recurrent hernias
- Reflux and heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Gastric and oesophageal cancer
Patients benefit from his comprehensive, evidence-based approach, modern surgical techniques, and a commitment to safe, effective treatment tailored to individual needs.
