Name and Position

Mr Nicholas Penney PhD, MBBS, FRCS, BSc, FHEA
Consultants

Profile

Department page: General Surgery

Speciality: General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

Sub-speciality: Oesophagogastric Surgery

Special clinical interests:Gallstones and gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy); inguinal, femoral and umbilical hernia repair; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD / acid reflux) and anti-reflux surgery; hiatus and para-oesophageal hernia repair; oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery; upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy); laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic surgery.

Qualifications: PhD, MBBS, FRCS, BSc, FHEA

Secretary: Rachel Hughes – rachel.hughes@nnuh.nhs.uk

GMC Number: 7049811

Professional Profile:

Mr Nicholas Penney is a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon and Service Director for General Surgery at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he has held a consultant post since 2023. His practice includes the assessment and treatment of gallstones, hernias and acid reflux, alongside specialist surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancer.

Mr Penney qualified from Imperial College London and completed higher surgical training in Surrey and Sussex. He undertook specialist training in oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he also completed a fellowship in robotic surgery.

Mr Penney is trained in advanced minimally invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) techniques. He performs gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) for gallstone disease, repairs of inguinal, femoral and umbilical hernias, and anti-reflux and hiatus hernia surgery. He also performs complex upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery, including gastrectomy and oesophagectomy, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy).

Mr Penney established and leads the Upper Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery service at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Research interests:

Mr Penney completed a PhD at Imperial College London investigating the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease, including after gastrointestinal surgery. He was awarded the Sutherland-Earl Clinical Research Fellowship and has published research in peer-reviewed journals, including Gut, Annals of Surgery, Nature Food and Scientific Reports.

His ongoing research interests include oesophageal and gastric cancer, surgical innovation and outcomes following gastrointestinal surgery.

Teaching and Training:

Mr Penney is Training Programme Director for Robotic Surgery and Endoscopy in the East of England and Royal College of Surgeons College Tutor for General Surgery at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

He contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate education and supports surgical trainees in developing their skills in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy.