An initial consultation with Mr Nicholas Penney is from £250.
Mr Nicholas Penney
Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
BSc MBBS PhD FRCS
Specialises in
- Gallbladder/gallstone removal
- Oesophageal and gastric cancer
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Gastroscopy
I am a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon with over a decade of specialist experience in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of complex gastrointestinal conditions. I am based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where I am Service Lead for General Surgery. I offer expert care in minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, aiming for faster recovery, reduced discomfort, and excellent long-term outcomes for my patients.
I specialise in the treatment of a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including oesophageal and gastric cancer, gallstones and gallbladder disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux (heartburn) and anti-reflux surgery. I also manage achalasia and other oesophageal motility disorders, as well as groin (inguinal) hernias, hiatus hernias, and paraoesophageal hernias. In addition, I perform both diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
I established and currently lead the Upper Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery service at NNUH where I have pioneered several regional firsts - including the hospital’s first Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy, a complex cancer procedure performed at only a handful of centres across the UK. This milestone was featured in the Eastern Daily Press and reflects the team’s dedication to cutting-edge surgical innovation and excellence.
I trained at Imperial College London and completed specialist surgical training in Surrey and Sussex, followed by a prestigious Robotic Surgery Fellowship in Newcastle upon Tyne, one of Europe's leading centres for oesophagogastric cancer.
I hold a PhD from Imperial College London, having investigated the role of the gut microbiome in health, disease, and recovery following surgery. I was awarded the Sutherland-Earl Clinical Research Fellowship, and my research has been published in leading journals such as Gut, Annals of Surgery, Nature Food, and Scientific Reports. I continue to be actively involved in clinical research, particularly in the field of oesophagogastric cancer, surgical innovation, and post-operative outcomes.
Alongside my clinical and research work, I am dedicated to surgical education. I serve as Training Programme Director for Robotic Surgery and Endoscopy in the East of England, and I am the Royal College of Surgeons College Tutor for General Surgery at NNUH, where I am responsible for the training and development of resident surgeons.
My approach to care is patient-centred, evidence-based, and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for my patients - whether managing cancer, resolving reflux, or addressing benign gastrointestinal disease.
General Medical Council Number: 7049811
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Nicholas Penney at Spire include:
General surgery
- Gallbladder / gallstone removal (cholecystectomy)
- Hernia surgery
- Laparoscopy investigation and treatment
Other treatments
- Diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Gallstone and gallbladder disease
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux (heartburn)
- Gastroscopy
- Groin / inguinal hernias
- Hiatus hernia surgery
- Minimally Invasive surgery
- Oesophageal and gastric cancer
- Paraoesophageal hernia surgery
- Robotic surgery
Get in touch
Additional information
Clinical interests
Endoscopy
Gastrointestinal surgery
Hernia repair surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Minimal access surgery
Gallstone surgery
Qualification and professional memberships
Doctor of Philosophy / Imperial College London / 2019
PhD
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery / Imperial College London / 2009
MBBS
Bachelor of Science / Imperial College London / 2007
BSc
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons / Royal College of Surgeons / 2021
FRCS
Professional memberships
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS)
Professional leadership
I am the East of England support Training Programme Director for Robotic Surgery and Endoscopy.
Current NHS posts
Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal and Robotic Surgeon, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Personal profile
I enjoy spending my spare time skiing, sailing, windsurfing and running as well as spending time with my wonderful wife and three children.
Contact information
| Telephone | 01603 255 614 |
| Private secretary | Charlotte Fulcher |
| Private secretary telephone | 07749 097302 |
| Private secretary email | charlotte.medicalsecretary@outlook.com |