Rachel qualified from the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ in 1994, graduating with a distinction in surgery. She completed her surgical training in London through the South East Thames rotation before being appointed Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in 2005.
From 2008 to 2016, Rachel served as Clinical Lead for Vascular Surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’, helping to lead the major reconfiguration of vascular services across South East London. She subsequently became Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Services at the Trust and Vascular Network Director for South East London. After 15 years as a consultant in London, she returned to the North East in 2020 to take up a consultant vascular surgery post at the Freeman Hospital.
Rachel is Board Chair for Surgery and Associated Specialties at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Nationally, she is a GIRFT Lead for Vascular Surgery, a past President of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and an elected Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. She has also served as Chair of the Circulation Foundation, the UK charity supporting people affected by vascular disease, and as President of the British Society of Endovascular Therapy.
Her specialist clinical interests include open aortic aneurysm repair, complex redo aortic surgery, aortic dissection, open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and the surgical management of vascular graft infection. Alongside her clinical practice, she has a particular interest in sustainable and innovative healthcare improvement, staff wellbeing, and the prevention of burnout.
Vascular surgery serviceSecretaries
Michelle Kirkup
0191 213 7176
