I have been in the North East since 1986, completing my training at Newcastle Medical School and my Urological training at hospitals across the North East. During this time I was awarded fellowships by the Medical Research Council and the Royal College of Surgeons to research bladder cancer in Newcastle University Cancer Research Unit, leading to a PhD in 2002. This led to an interest in medical statistics which has since helped me identify the most useful techniques and treatments for patients under my care.I have been working as a Consultant Urological Surgeon in Sunderland and Durham since 2006, providing treatment for common urological problems and specialist care for patients with urological cancer across the South of Tyne (South Shields, Sunderland, Durham and Bishop Auckland).