Colin Wilson is a consultant surgeon specialising in hepatobiliary (disorders of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas) surgery.
He started working for Newcastle Hospitals in 1999 as a junior house doctor on ward 16 – the Freeman Hospital’s liver unit – and it was working there that peaked his interest in liver transplantation.
He enjoys the complex allure of transplantation and the prospect of really making a real difference to patients through truly transformational surgery.
What’s your involvement in the series?
In Episode 1, Colin performs a live kidney transplant on Kimberly whose kidney function had severely deteriorated due to her diabetes leading to kidney failure. Her donor is big sister, Debra.
We see him start his morning with three Weetabix – which he religiously has on the days of major operations – but he’s consciously aware that while it’s a big day for him, it’s huge for the patients involved.
“I was keen to get involved in the filming to help promote the importance of live donation and how giving a kidney to a loved one can make such a difference to that person’s life.”
Why do you enjoy working at Newcastle Hospitals?
“I’ve worked all around the UK but always came back to the North East and ended up pursuing my career at the Freeman Hospital. I can quite honestly say that the level of enthusiasm, expertise and real care for patients here is unmatched anywhere else.”
What do you do in your spare time?
In his spare time and when not performing life-changing surgery, Colin enjoys spending time with his family, looking after the chickens and guinea pig and sea-canoeing, although not all at the same time!
