How to choose the right neurosurgeon

Start with registration. Every neurosurgeon practising in South Africa must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist neurosurgeon. That is a non-negotiable minimum.

Then look at experience with your specific problem. A general neurosurgeon handles most conditions well, but for rarer or complex operations — awake craniotomy, complex spinal deformity, skull base tumours — volume in that specific procedure matters. Ask directly how many the surgeon does per year.

Consider communication. You will make important decisions with this person. Do they explain things clearly? Do they welcome questions? Do they give you time? If the first consultation feels rushed or dismissive, that is information.

Practical factors matter too: which hospital they operate at, whether they take your medical aid, how accessible their rooms are for follow-up.

Online reviews are only weakly correlated with surgical outcomes. Word of mouth from a GP you trust, or from a patient who had the same operation, is usually more reliable.