For the last 15 years I have worked as a Consultant Nephrologist to the Lister Renal Unit in Stevenage. They are a large renal department, providing renal services to a population of 1.3 million people in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and part of Essex. We are proud of our reputation as a true multi-disciplinary, patient centred and innovative unit.For five years I was Clinical Director and have recently stepped down to concentrate on clinical work.My basic medical degree was at St Bartholomew's medical school (Barts) in the City of London, where I was awarded the Wix and Bentley medical prizes. My renal (kidney) training was undertaken in London, Brighton, Middlesbrough and Newcastle upon Tyne. I undertook research into atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) in the 1990s with Professor Tim Goodship, gaining an MD. Our work was the first to uncover the cause of this serious condition.