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.

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.

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 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