“I am an ophthalmic surgeon, specialising in retinal problems, such as retinal detachment.  My job combines many of the things I enjoy - such as very tiny detailed work, getting to know people from all walks of life, and doing my bit for the community.

“One of the things I like most about my specialty is that I can see what is wrong with a patient almost immediately just by looking at them or at a scan of their eye.  It’s very satisfying to be able to give a patient a diagnosis pretty much straight away, most of the time.  We have some amazing technology which we use to image the retina, and I enjoy being able to show patients their scans before and after surgery.

“I first worked at York Hospital as a junior doctor in training, and was inspired and encouraged by many wonderful colleagues to apply for a consultant post here.  I’ve now been a consultant for four years, a role I find challenging, exciting and thoroughly rewarding.  I also do an outreach clinic at Scarborough Hospital once a fortnight, which is a welcome change of scenery that allows me to see my patients closer to where they live.

“I have had many wise pieces of advice over the years, but the best one comes from my dad; ‘You must never be afraid to stop and look at the map’.  He said this just before my first long solo car journey many years ago, but I feel it can be applied to most situations.  There is always something or someone who can help you carry out what you need to do, just as long as you stop and remember that you’re not on your own.  I think this sums up the ethos of the NHS rather well too.

“I believe passionately in the NHS and feel strongly that it should continue to provide world-class care, which is free at the point of delivery.”