CQ - I didn't realise there were financial issues around his medical treatment as well as the house. Mak was right. Many of the best surgeons also spend time in public hospitals. They are needed there to pass on their experience and skill, often they are the consultants or may also have teaching roles in the universities that are associated with the hospitals (so we're talking tertiary-level, hospitals that have research programs). So it could be that, having found the surgeon who can do the surgery, that they would agree to get him onto one of their public hospital surgery lists? Doctors are normally very compassionate people. And they meet him and get the idea that he's a good bloke they are even more likely to help. A detailed discussion with his oncologist about which surgeons would be the best to approach to do the surgery in the first instance would give you some names, then you can google, ask around, then approach the surgeon. His GP (if he has a good one) might be able to assist by writing the referral).

There is one thing I learnt about my time in the medical system - you need to ask and be assertive from time to time.