Mr Raj Harshen

I have been an accredited colorectal consultant since 2010 specialising in laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections, inflammatory bowel diseases, pelvic floor disorders, proctological disorders, day surgery and all endoscopic procedures (colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and gastroscopy).

I did my surgical training initially in India and then my specialist training in the South Thames London deanery. I topped this off with an 18 month fellowship at the Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital in London before taking up my consultant post at the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

My expertise is in colorectal cancers especially locally advanced low rectal cancers and have had excellent results over the years. Majority of my private workload is in repairing all types of hernias mainly as day surgery cases.

I do a significant amount of surgery for perineal problems like haemorrhoids, fissures and fistulas. I am also an experienced and an accredited trainer in colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy including doing therapeutic procedures.

I have performed over 500 cancer resections with over 60% being done laparoscopicaly. I do an average of 150 – 200 day surgery hernia operations every year besides complex reconstruction of abdominal wall hernias.

I do about 250 endoscopic procedures every year in addition to the number of procedures I train other endoscopists.

I am the lead clinician for the project implementing a revolutionary new diagnostic test for colorectal cancer detection. We were the first in the country incorporating this in the colorectal cancer pathway. An innovative approach and more easily accessible pathway is now being offered. I was awarded the award for Outstanding achievement by the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust in their Pride of ESHT 2019 awards.

I am the clinical lead for General Surgery for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.