Dr David Cartwright ,35, is a Consultant in both Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine. He qualified at Glasgow University 10 years ago, with a Commendation. He also obtained a BSc 1st Class in Medical Biochemistry.

Said Dr Cartwright: “I’m very pleased to have joined Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals and the pathology laboratory team where much of the “detective work” relating to diagnosis takes place.  My clinical role seems likely to be centred aroundNutrition – particularly obesity – and the management of Lipid disorders such as cholesterol and triglycerides, the fats in the bloodstream.”

He added: “I am enjoy the clinical liaison and advising on the most appropriate investigations for patient management and equally enjoy the process of improving the quality of the biochemistry service provided to our users on the wards, in the outpatient departments and in the general practices.

“My interest in Biochemistry stemmed from my days doing the BSc in Glasgow.  After completing my general medical training (MRCP, Member of the Royal College of Physicians) I was attracted to Chemical Pathology and its new subspeciality of Metabolic Medicine. The Chemical Pathology component offers the opportunity to lead the delivery of the hospital’s biochemistry services, and to offer an advisory service in the interpretation of results and suggestions of further investigations to clinicians.

“I enjoy having contact with patients in a clinic setting. The new Metabolic Medicine subspeciality ensures a clinical role for a Chemical Pathologist, such as myself, concentrating in one of the five areas of clinical training: Diabetes, Nutrition; Lipid management; Metabolic Bone Disease and the management of Adult patients with Inborn Errors of Metabolism. I find this balance of lab work and clinical work very interesting and rewarding.”

Before joining Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust Dr Cartwright was a Senior Specialist Registrar  at AddenbrookesHospital, Cambridge, which is a national referral centre for the interpretation and investigation of patients with abnormal thyroid function test results, which was his specialty.

Dr Cartwright is already familiar with this part of Surrey as his wife did her PhD at the Royal Holloway College, Egham.  The couple live in Staines and have a baby daughter.  When not busy with family life he enjoys outdoor activities of walking; golf; football and natural history as well as the cinema and music.