After carrying out thousands of operations and hundreds of liver transplants, Professor Giles Toogood, Consultant Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has performed his final surgery.
Prof Toogood has been serving the NHS for 40 years and has been a consultant at Leeds since 1998. In that time, he has carried out more than 8,000 gall bladder operations, and over 2,000 liver resections, as well as hundreds of life-saving transplants.
He said: “It’s been a big part of my life, and it will be a strange feeling, stopping operating after all this time, but it happens to us all.
“I will still be carrying on at Leeds, doing research trials and some clinics but I’m hanging up my boots as far as operating is concerned. I’ll still be around, but it will be nice to spend a bit of time doing other things.”
“I’ve worked with some absolutely brilliant teams here at Jimmy’s and I will miss it. I have no regrets, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it all, there have been some wonderful times.”
Former patient, Dr Juliet Stone, says Prof Toogood’s assessment and surgery saved her life.
“I attended hospital in excruciating pain, and was found to have large gallstones stuck in my bile duct, and developed pancreatitis,” she said.
“Prof Toogood operated on me to remove my gallbladder once my stuck stones were cleared. It wasn’t a straightforward operation and I was so grateful for his skill and expertise to be able to perform the operation successfully and without complications.
“I was also admitted to hospital due to a liver abscess, which caused sepsis and I was cared for by Professor Toogood and his team. I have since made a full recovery!
“I am so grateful for Professor Toogood’s care – not only did he save my life but his skill and knowledge meant that I have made a complete recovery.
“When you’re unwell in hospital, you feel very scared and vulnerable and Professor Toogood made me feel safe. He is a world expert at what he does and I am so thankful for his amazing care.”
Another former patient, Richard Maltby, was treated by Prof Toogood almost 24 years ago following the devastating news of being diagnosed with bowel cancer with liver metastasis.
“He was part of a small medical team caring for me using a combination of surgery and chemotherapy to produce a successful outcome for my advanced cancer,” said Richard.
“The methods were believed to be quite groundbreaking for the Leeds Cancer Centre and Giles was the surgeon responsible for my liver surgery, removing a number of tumours during two operations over an 18-month period.
“During this time Giles not only provided me with specialist medical treatment but was always there to give me and my family the confidence and hope for a healthy future after cancer.
“Following this period, I saw Giles at routine reviews for up to 10 years, monitoring my health, helping with related issues as well as having a pleasant catch up on life.”
Prof Toogood also took part in charity golf tournaments over many years, events organised by Richard, which raised around £165,000 for cancer research.
“Over the years Giles has always supported me and my family and I am extremely grateful and fortunate to regard him not only as a great medical professional, but as a friend,” said Richard.