I am a doctor specialising in anaesthesia in London, completing my advanced training in anaesthesia for neurosurgery.

In addition to my clinical work I have an interest in the history of anaesthesia, and what that history can tell us about the practice of anaesthesia today. I gave a presentation titled ‘Awareness, Assaults and Abductions: Historical Perspectives on Modern Patient Anxieties’ at the Association of Anaesthetists’ Annual Congress 2022 in Belfast. This talk explored what people worried about when anaesthesia was first introduced, why the idea of abductions with a chloroform soaked rag persists in film and TV today, and why we need to communicate better with our patients about what it means to undergo anaesthesia in the 21st century.

I am currently working alongside staff at the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre in London, co-curating the upcoming exhibition ‘Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases,’ which will explore the role of anaesthetists through the lens of three epidemics/pandemics: cholera; polio; and COVID19.

Listen up.

My six-part audio documentary explored the discovery and early development of anaesthesia, from nitrous oxide to ether and chloroform. It explores what makes a ‘good’ anaesthetic drug, and how doctors made and continue to make anaesthesia safer for our patients.

Listen to all six episodes now, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen!

Projects come alive with pictures.

I’m also a keen watercolour artist, and alongside painting for fun I have also contributed watercolour illustrations to projects including the Pan-London Paediatric Trauma Guidelines. Get in touch if you think illustrations could enhance your work!