Hampshire surgeon Tim Underwood says NHS must allow patients to see 'the person behind the scrubs and gloves'

Tim Underwood, a consultant oesophageal surgeon at Southampton General Hospital, believes clinicians should be required to hold annual public events to ensure transparency.

He spoke out ahead of his second “audience with” event, to take place at Winchester Discovery Centre at 7pm on Wednesday, giving an insight into his training, career highs and cutting-edge research.

Mr Underwood, pictured, who is a Medical Research Council clinician scientist at the University of Southampton, said while he feels “personally responsible” for outcomes, they are not just the result of his surgical skills and that is why consultant-level data should be “taken with a truck load of salt”.

He added: “What we should be looking at is how we can ingrain absolute transparency in the system right from the beginning of a career – and that starts with medical school training – and a focus on actually speaking to members of the public about your job.

“Public engagement events, such as the one I am holding, are the perfect way to express the complexities of working in the modern NHS and, regardless of whether or not doctors or surgeons want to, it should be a requirement for all teams of clinicians to hold one or two open events a year.”

To buy tickets for his event, call 01962 873603.