I completed my specialist training in urology in the North East having grown up in Newcastle. Before embarking on a career as a consultant I worked in Vellore, India to gain experience in reconstructive surgery and especially management of complex urethral strictures. I then spent a fellowship year working in Sydney, Australia which was equally a wonderful experience.

BMedSci (Physiology) University of Nottingham 1995

BM BS, University of Nottingham 1997

Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (MRCS) 2000

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), as MRC Fellow, Newcastle University 2006

Specialty Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Urology (FRCS Urol) 2008

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) 2010

Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Cancer Research UK/RCS (Eng) 2010

Hunterian Professorship, Royal College of Surgeons of England 2010

Mr Paez attended Medical School at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion, Paraguay, 1989-1994, with a degree: Doctor in Medicine and Surgery. He underwent an internship at Hospital de Clinicas, Asuncion in Paraguay, 1995 and was in residence in General Surgery, Hospital de Clinicas, Asuncion, Paraguay, 1996 and in residence in Urology, Hospital de Clinicas, Asuncion, Paraguay during 1997-2000.

Mr Paez was then a Urology Trainee in the Northern Region based at Freeman Hospital, James Cook University Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary during the period 2001-2006 and underwent Intercollegiate Examination Board in Urology FRCS(Urol) in November 2005. He was subsequently appointed as Consultant Urologist at the Freeman Hospital in October 2006.

I trained at medical school in London, and moved to the north east for urological training. My specialist interests are in laparoscopic surgery of the kidney and improving men's urinary symptoms with and without surgery.

I have a Ph.D in research into renal cancer and have published widely on a number of urological subjects. Current projects include trying to optimise the patient experience in the outpatient setting.

Mr Powell was appointed as Consultant Urologist at the Freeman Hospital in 1985 and since this time has held the posts of Trust Cancer Lead Clinician and Assistant Medical Director. 

Mr Powell is also a Member of SAC in Urology, is an examiner for FRCS in Urology and is National President of the Urostomy Association.

Mr Rix graduated in 1989 from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and was appointed as a substantive Consultant Urologist at the Freeman Hospital in 2003.

I trained at Medical School in Oxford before completing a research fellowship in the USA at the internationally recognised Indiana University School of Medicine under the guidance of Professor Rink. I further trained in Urology in the North East, obtaining my completion of training certificate in 2009. I have a particular interest in minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery for renal tract stones. I have implemented and developed the Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Gland operation (HoLEP) at Freeman Hospital in order to decrease the complications of prostate surgery and the time spent in hospital.

Mr Soomro was appointed as a Consultant in 1998 and is currently the clinical lead in Urology. He has led the department in developing and delivering complex minimally invasive urological surgery. He is involved in training in minimally invasive surgery within UK and Europe.

Mr Thomas was appointed Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in 1997.  He held the post of Clinical Director for Urology and Renal Services during the period 2004-2008 and was the Cancer Lead Clinician during 2004-2007. Mr Thomas is the regional provider of the specialist service for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (testis cancer) and also carries out complex renal cancer surgery and complex stone surgery.

Mr Thomas is a member of BAUS Oncology and Endourology subsections as well as the NCRI Testis cancer group.

Mr Thorpe qualified in 1981 with a MB BCh from Cardiff in South Wales and has since accrued the further following qualifications:

• FRCS(ed) 1984
• M.Ch. 1993
• FRCS(urol) 1994

He has been a consultant urologist for 14 years and works on the executive council of the Female and Reconstructive Urology subsection of BAUS. Mr Thorpe is a member of the NCRI bladder cancer working group, and has a major interest in training, sitting on the SAC for Urology.

Mr Thorpe's clinical interests are in bladder cancer and bladder reconstruction, following cystectomy, and in surgery for incontinence, both in women and in men following prostate cancer surgery. As well as providing clinical sessions at the Freeman Hospital, Mr Thorpe works at Hexham General Hospital and has a very active research portfolio, in bladder cancer, voiding dysfunction in men, and incontinence in women