Professor Aftab AlaGastroenterologist and hepatologist in Guildford
Professional statement
Professor Aftab Ala is an internationally recognised consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist who specialises in liver disease, liver function tests, FibroScan, colonoscopy, gastroscopy and SIBO. His private practice is based at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital, Prime Health Surrey and Spire Clare Park Hospital, with NHS base at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford and Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London.
FibroScan, one of Professor Ala's areas of expertise, is a non-invasive technique that allows the assessment of hepatic fibrosis, as well as quantification of liver fat. It's fast, reliable and is alternative to a biopsy, which takes longer than a FibroScan test and has potential complications.
Professor Ala is highly qualified, with an MB BS from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (Imperial College, London) an MD (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and a PhD in hepatology from University College London, where he won a National Wellcome Trust Research Training fellowship in immune and inflammatory medicine mechanisms linking liver and gut disease. Following specialist training in global centres of excellence at King's and Royal Free Hospitals, he was awarded a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CSST) in gastroenterology and internal medicine.
He undertook further focused training as advanced hepatology fellowship to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York from 2003 to 2004, building international expertise on rare liver diseases, chronic liver disease and liver/bowel transplantation. Professor Ala is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London the Chair of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department at the University of Surrey and a consultant hepatologist at Royal Surrey and Kings London.
He has written and contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed original medical articles and oral presentations. He has supervised PhD students at the University of Surrey and King's College London leading research programmes supported by National (NIHR and UKRI-MRC) and International funding in genetic metabolic liver disease and inequalities of health in which he has an active track record of scientific achievement and running international and national clinical trials, including first in human studies.
He is a member of numerous scientific committees in his field, and is the lead for hepatology at the National Institute of Health and Research (NIHR) for Kent, Surrey and Sussex (South East England). Professor Ala is also a previous group member for hepato-pancreatic biliary (HPB) NHS England's South East coast Clinical Reference Group, NICE Guidelines on Hepatitis B, Clinical Advisor to the NHS England and currently British Liver Trust-
Professor Ala is a member of various professional organisations including the Royal College of Physicians London, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL). He is the lead of the Wilson's Disease and Rare Liver Disease Special Interest Group for BASL, member of the American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).
FibroScan, one of Professor Ala's areas of expertise, is a non-invasive technique that allows the assessment of hepatic fibrosis, as well as quantification of liver fat. It's fast, reliable and is alternative to a biopsy, which takes longer than a FibroScan test and has potential complications.
Professor Ala is highly qualified, with an MB BS from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (Imperial College, London) an MD (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and a PhD in hepatology from University College London, where he won a National Wellcome Trust Research Training fellowship in immune and inflammatory medicine mechanisms linking liver and gut disease. Following specialist training in global centres of excellence at King's and Royal Free Hospitals, he was awarded a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CSST) in gastroenterology and internal medicine.
He undertook further focused training as advanced hepatology fellowship to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York from 2003 to 2004, building international expertise on rare liver diseases, chronic liver disease and liver/bowel transplantation. Professor Ala is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London the Chair of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department at the University of Surrey and a consultant hepatologist at Royal Surrey and Kings London.
He has written and contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed original medical articles and oral presentations. He has supervised PhD students at the University of Surrey and King's College London leading research programmes supported by National (NIHR and UKRI-MRC) and International funding in genetic metabolic liver disease and inequalities of health in which he has an active track record of scientific achievement and running international and national clinical trials, including first in human studies.
He is a member of numerous scientific committees in his field, and is the lead for hepatology at the National Institute of Health and Research (NIHR) for Kent, Surrey and Sussex (South East England). Professor Ala is also a previous group member for hepato-pancreatic biliary (HPB) NHS England's South East coast Clinical Reference Group, NICE Guidelines on Hepatitis B, Clinical Advisor to the NHS England and currently British Liver Trust-
Professor Ala is a member of various professional organisations including the Royal College of Physicians London, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL). He is the lead of the Wilson's Disease and Rare Liver Disease Special Interest Group for BASL, member of the American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).
Clinics
Mount Alvernia Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
Guildford, Harvey Road, GU1 3LXMedical insurances accepted
Credentials
Professional experience
- 34 years of experience
- Consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, BMI Mount Alvernia Hospital (present)
Subspecialties
- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
Professional memberships
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London
- British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)
Education
- FRCP, Royal College of Physicians of London (2010)
- PhD, Hepatology, University College London (2010)
Teaching posts
- Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Surrey, Guildford
- Professor of Hepatology, Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, London
Positions in organisations
- Lead for Hepatology, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, National Institute of Health and Research (NIHR) (2014 - present)
- South East Coast Clinical Reference Group Member for Hepato-pancreatic-biliary (HPB), NHS England (2014 - present)
Prizes and awards
- Dame Sheila Sherlock Travelling Fellowship for clinical and research experience, Royal College of Physicians
- Welcome Trust Research Training Fellowship
Languages spoken
- English
- Urdu
Registration number: 3567533
Reviews
All reviews are from real patients and have been verified by our Customer Service department to ensure they meet our guidelines. Rules of the service
- Would you recommend this doctor?
- Treatment of the doctor
- Treatment of the staff
- Waiting time
- Condition of facilities
- Very pleased with the information provided and the path to be adopted.
- I'd like to express my appreciation to Dr. Aftab Ala for his professionalism and care during my recent Fibroscan procedure. He made the experience smooth, informative, and reassuring throughout. I truly felt in expert hands—thank you for your excellent service.
- I am happy to say that the treatment I received from Professor Ala and his team was exceptional. Professor Ala explained everything along the journey so there were no anxious periods waiting for information.
- Professor Aftab Ala has been a absolute privilege to meet and has helped me incredibly on my gastritis/hernia issues, extremely knowledgeable and would trust him indefinitely.
- Professor Ala was excellent, explained everything very well and was very kind.
- I found Prof Ala very friendly and approachable. He really took time to listen and discuss to my symptoms. Very happy with the level of care.
- After a series of blood tests with my GP she referred me to professor Ala. He clearly laid out a series tests starting with a fibroscan . The scan showed that I had liver fibrosis and he set out holistically to examine methodically my complete digestive system. An amazing man.
- A special thank you to Prof Ala for the outstanding care and guidance over the past 15 years. Gratitude for always going the extra mile and for being available when needed. A true professional on every level. I feel very blessed to have this exceptional gentleman in my corner.