Mr Ross McLean
Consultant Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon
BSc (Hons), MBChB (Hons), FRCSEd (General and Breast Surgery) - Gold Medal
I am an award-winning Consultant Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon at Spire Washington, specialising in breast cancer surgery, breast reconstruction, and male breast conditions. I work exclusively in breast surgery and focus on providing safe, effective treatment with a personalised approach to care.
I completed my surgical training in the North East of England, gaining extensive experience in leading oncoplastic breast units. I have been a consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead since 2023. I was proud to complete a prestigious advanced fellowship in complex revisional and cosmetic breast surgery. I gained expertise across the full range of breast surgery including the use of cosmetic surgical techniques to deliver complex reconstruction in the treatment of breast cancer.
Beyond my undergraduate distinctions and honours, I have received several national awards and fellowships in recognition of my work. These include the ASGBI Gold Medal for achieving the top result in the FRCS Consultant Examination, the National ABS Educational Fellowship in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, and the National Mammary Fold Fellowship in Gender-Affirming Surgery.
My practice covers rapid diagnostics, breast cancer care, and male breast health. I am always happy to see people with new breast symptoms, problems after previous treatment or for a second opinion.
I deliver a range of surgical options to manage breast disease and specialise in maximising breast conserving surgery options for patients (where appropriate) - including mammoplasty (breast reduction/uplift at time of cancer removal), perforator flap reconstruction, lipomodelling and glandular remodelling.
When mastectomy is performed, I offer breast reconstruction using multiple techniques including implants, tissue flaps (e.g. LD), and lipomodelling (fat transfer). I offer procedures to provide symmetry such as mastopexy (breast lifts), breast reduction and breast augmentation. I offer tailored reconstructive options for patients following cancer treatment, ensuring oncological safety, swift recovery and natural results.
Beyond cancer treatment, I have a particular interest in the cosmetic appearance of the breast and in managing gynaecomastia (male breast enlargement). I believe that, even during cancer treatment, achieving a natural and balanced appearance is an important part of patient wellbeing.
I perform a high volume of breast cancer operations with excellent safety and patient outcomes. In the past year, I have had <1% 30-day emergency overnight readmissions, a 93.5% day-case rate, and consistently low complication rates. My practice achieves a high rate of immediate symmetrising surgery, a low mastectomy rate, and a high reconstruction rate in the event of mastectomy. I also perform a significant volume of oncoplastic procedures to enable breast-conserving surgery wherever possible.
My patient reported feedback is consistently positive (see patients’ feedback on https://www.iwantgreatcare.org)
I am actively involved in research, with over 25 publications and multiple national and international awards for my work. Please see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ross-Mclean for my research.
I deliver teaching and training to the next generation of breast surgeons and regularly teach on national courses.
In addition to my clinical work, I hold several national and regional leadership and guideline development roles. I have won nine national and international prizes and act as Surgical Lead for the Northern Cancer Alliance breast pathways, helping to improve breast cancer care across the region. I am also the lead author of national guidelines for the Association of Breast Surgery, including guidance on the care of male patients with gynaecomastia and breast cancer, the assessment of children with breast symptoms, and breast screening for gender-diverse individuals.
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Ross McLean at Spire include:
Breast care and surgery
- Breast implant removal
- Breast lump investigation
- Breast lump removal
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Other treatments
Advanced breast conservation (lumpectomy) surgery for cancer including:
- Breast reconstruction using multiple techniques including implants, tissue flaps (e.g. LD), and lipomodelling (fat transfer)
- Local volume replacement flaps (LTAP, LICAP, AICAP, MICAP) to fill breast defects during cancer removal surgery
- Revision of breast reconstruction
- Symmetrisation surgery such as mastopexy (breast lifts), breast reduction and breast augmentation
- Therapeutic mammoplasty surgery (breast reduction or breast lift to improve breast size or shape when removing breast cancer)
Get in touch
Additional information
Clinical interests
Benign breast problems
Breast cancer
Qualification and professional memberships
FRCSEd, awarded ASGBI Gold Medal / Edinburgh / 2021
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, (General and Breast Surgery)
NHS Leadership Academy Award / UK / 2019
in Healthcare Leadership
MBChB (Hons) / University of Glasgow / 2012
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, with Hons
BSc Clin Med (Hons) / University of Glasgow / 2010
Bachelor of Science with Honours in Clinical Medicine/Clinical Science
Professional memberships
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
British Association of Gender Identity Specialists
Professional leadership
I lead the writing groups for Association of Breast Surgery national guidelines for: 1) Care of male patients with gynaecomastia and breast cancer. 2) Breast screening for gender-diverse individuals
I am the Surgical Lead for Northern Cancer Alliance pathways to improve breast care: 1) Male breast referral pathway. 2) Risk reducing endocrine therapy pathway
Current NHS posts
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust
Personal profile
Outside of work, I enjoy walking in the beautiful North East countryside and keeping active.
Contact information
| Website | https://enovasurgery.co.uk |
| Private secretary | Claire Homer |
| Private secretary telephone | 0191 406 4994 |
| Private secretary email | info@enovasurgery.co.uk |