Welcoming vascular surgeons Sam Taylor and Anastasia Dean to the Compass Surgical team in Auckland

Compass Surgical is pleased to welcome vascular surgeons Mr Sam Taylor and Ms Anastasia Dean to our team, expanding our services at the MacMurray Centre in Auckland to include specialist vascular assessment and treatment.

Their arrival brings vascular surgery alongside our established general surgical services, including hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery and the assessment and treatment of skin lumps and bumps.

For patients and GPs, this means access to a broader surgical team from the same MacMurray-based service, with a continued focus on careful assessment, clear communication and treatment tailored to the individual patient.

Mr Sam Taylor
Vascular surgeon

Ms Anastasia Dean
Vascular surgeon

Vascular surgery at Compass Surgical

Vascular surgery deals with conditions affecting the arteries and veins throughout the body.

Sam and Anastasia will consult at the MacMurray Centre for a wide range of vascular conditions, including:

• Varicose veins and chronic venous disease
• Peripheral arterial disease, including reduced circulation to the legs
• Aortic aneurysms and other aortic disease
• Aortic dissection
• Carotid artery disease
• Dialysis and vascular access
• Other arterial and venous conditions requiring specialist assessment

For many patients, the first step is not a procedure. It is establishing the diagnosis, understanding how significant the problem is and deciding whether observation, medical treatment, further investigation or an intervention is appropriate.

This reflects the wider Compass Surgical approach: assessment first, treatment when it is useful and appropriate, with clear information to help patients understand their options.

Varicose vein treatment and radiofrequency ablation

A particular area of the new service will be the assessment and treatment of varicose veins.

Varicose veins can cause aching, heaviness, swelling, itching, skin changes or inflammation, although some people have visible veins with few symptoms.

A vascular consultation helps determine whether symptoms are related to venous disease and whether treatment is likely to help.

Where appropriate, Sam and Anastasia will offer radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins at the MacMurray Centre.

RFA is a minimally invasive treatment used to close an abnormal superficial vein. Treatment is planned following specialist assessment and, where required, duplex ultrasound imaging. Not every patient with varicose veins needs a procedure, and treatment depends on the pattern of venous disease, symptoms and individual circumstances.

A broader surgical team at MacMurray Centre

Our general surgeons, Thomas Hanna and Peter Swan, will continue to provide assessment and treatment for hernias, gallbladder conditions and skin and soft-tissue problems.

Sam Taylor and Anastasia Dean add specialist expertise in both venous and arterial disease.

Together, the aim is to make it easier for patients and referrers to reach the right surgical expertise for the problem in front of them, while maintaining the personal and collaborative approach on which Compass Surgical was built.

What this means for patients

Patients can now see Compass Surgical at MacMurray Centre for:

General surgery

• Inguinal, umbilical and other abdominal wall hernias
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Skin lumps, cysts, lipomas and other soft-tissue lesions

Vascular surgery

• Varicose veins
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Aortic aneurysm and aortic disease
• Carotid artery disease
• Vascular access
• Other arterial and venous conditions

For suitable patients with varicose veins, radiofrequency ablation can also be provided through the MacMurray Centre.

Information for GPs and other referrers

GPs can refer to Compass Surgical for both general surgical and vascular surgical assessment.

We recognise that referral is not only about arranging an appointment. Patients also need to understand why they are being referred, what happens next and what they should do if their condition changes while they are waiting.

Our patient-information programme supports this with clear pre-consultation information, safety-netting and practical preparation before patients meet their specialist. Detailed diagnosis, treatment recommendations, benefits, risks and alternatives are then discussed with the appropriate surgeon following assessment.

Referrals can be made through SR Referrals by searching for “Compass Surgical”, or by contacting the MacMurray Centre or Compass Surgical team directly.

One team, broader expertise

Compass Surgical was established around a simple principle: patients should receive experienced surgical care, clear explanations and enough time and support to make decisions that are right for them.

Welcoming Sam Taylor and Anastasia Dean extends that approach into vascular surgery.

With general and vascular surgeons working from the MacMurray Centre, Compass Surgical can now provide specialist assessment across a wider range of surgical and vascular conditions while retaining the personal, collaborative model on which the practice was built.

To arrange an appointment or discuss a referral, contact Compass Surgical at the MacMurray Centre.