We continue to work hard alongside Covid-19 which is moving more into the background of every day life. It still presents with challenges of staff absence and cancelled operations due to testing positive. We are obliged to defer elective (non-urgent) operations until 6-7 weeks after someone tests positive for Covid-19. This is causing some frustration and disappointment for some of those who have been waiting patiently for operations.

Several Covid-19 vaccines have been found to be effective at preventing severe illness and in December 2020, Leeds Teaching Hospitals started its vaccination programme. I attended a session on Wednesday 16th December and helped consent and prescribe the Pfizer mRNA vaccine to care home staff. I managed to receive a spare dose that would otherwise have been discarded. Hopefully this is the start of the recovery phase now fingers crossed.

There has been an unprescented challenge to the world presented by the Coronavirus pandemic. As a consequence of significant restrictions of social interaction and the seriousness of the Covid-19 disease and its potential effect on NHS resources, our attention has been diverted to dealing with this emergency. As a consequence there has been a prolonged pause placed on routine cases including private work. We are hoping that as the NHS and the Nation recovers, some private work will gradually resume. Please stay safe in these difficult times.

Whilst off from work managed to complete an on-line course in business and management from the London School of Economics. Kept me occupied whilst away from usual work. Excellent course and content provided invaluable knowledge and skills for the future.

Having recovered from surgery returning to work amidst the Covid-19 pandemic is not easy to say the least. Currently preparing NHS Hospital for potential surge in demand for beds. All non-urgent work cancelled for the time-being.

Found myself requiring surgery and now taking a pause from work to recover from this and looking forward to getting back into normal life in the next few months.

Words of wisdom from Lord Woolf amongst others at the Church House Conference Centre. An excellent update on matters for experts.

Attended this course for a simplified version of the roux en y gastric bypass to treat morbid obesity. Hoping we can bring this operation in as part of our repertoire in Leeds.

I have the pleasure of being invited to a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Charity Educational Day on Friday 4th October 2019 in Leeds to speak about surgical treatment for this rare group of tumours.

The above study is now closed to recruitment having achieved 1341 randomised patients to one of three bariatric procedures. We look forward to seeing preliminary results in 2022.