The pancreas MDT meet once a week, usually on a Thursday, to discuss the most appropriate treatment for you. A member of the MDT will then discuss the proposed treatment plan with you.
Consultant Pancreatic Surgeons
Mr Andrew Smith
Is President of the Association of Upper GI Surgery (AUGIS) of Great Britain and Ireland and is recognised as a national leader in pancreatic surgery, clinical audit, research, and surgical education.
A highly respected upper gastrointestinal surgeon, he specialises in complex pancreatic and biliary surgery, performing major pancreatic and biliary resections for both benign and malignant disease. He serves as Chair of the National Pancreatic Audit Database, playing a pivotal role in driving quality improvement, benchmarking outcomes, and shaping pancreatic cancer care across the UK and Ireland.
Mr Smith leads a prolific research programme focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of pancreatic disease, with his work contributing to improvements in patient outcomes and informing national practice. He is also a passionate educator, holding an active role in the training and mentorship of the next generation of surgeons and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Alongside his specialist pancreatic practice, Mr Smith maintains a high-volume advanced laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery service. He is highly experienced in minimally invasive surgery for gallstone disease, abdominal wall disorders, and complex abdominal pain, combining technical excellence with a commitment to innovation and patient-centred care.
His contributions to clinical practice, research, education, and national quality improvement have established him as one of the leading figures in upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgery in the UK and Ireland.
Mr Alastair Young
Consultant Pancreatico-biliary Surgeon. Alastair graduated from Edinburgh University in 2002 but moved to Leeds in 2003 where he completed the bulk of his training. He completed a fellowship in Melbourne in liver transplantation and liver and pancreatic surgery before taking up this post in 2018. He has a strong research interest, completing a PhD in molecular aspects of tumour metastasis but more recently has focussed on research to improve treatment decision-making. He enjoys carrying out laparoscopic and open pancreatic, biliary and general surgery. He is lead for the pancreatic cancer MDT and also Clinical Director for the HPB (Hepato-pancreatico-biliary) Cancer Optimal Pathways Group for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance. He sits on the audit committee for the European-African HPB Association and also the communication and publication committee of the International HPB Association.
Mr James Pine
Is a highly respected Consultant Pancreatico-Biliary Surgeon and clinical leader, recognised for his expertise in the management of complex benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas and biliary system. Since graduating from the University of Leeds in 2004, he has built an outstanding career combining advanced surgical practice, academic achievement, and service leadership.
Following completion of higher surgical training in the North East of England, James returned to Leeds in 2018 to undertake advanced fellowship training in pancreatic surgery, further refining his expertise in one of the most technically demanding areas of modern surgery. He specialises in both open and minimally invasive pancreaticobiliary procedures, delivering highly specialised care for patients with complex pancreatic, liver, and biliary conditions.
Alongside his clinical excellence, James has made significant contributions to academic surgery. He was awarded a Doctor of Medicine (MD) for his research into the immune response to cancer, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to advancing scientific understanding and improving outcomes for patients with cancer. His work reflects a dedication to innovation, evidence-based practice, and the translation of research into clinical benefit.
As Clinical Lead for the Pancreatic Surgery Unit at St James’s University Hospital, James provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the UK’s leading specialist pancreatic services. In this role, he oversees the delivery and development of complex pancreatic surgical care, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the highest standards of treatment, patient safety, and service excellence.
Widely regarded for his clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing pancreatic care, James continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of pancreatic surgery while delivering outstanding outcomes for patients across the region and beyond.
Samir Pathak
Mr Samir Pathak is a Consultant Pancreatic and General Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, based at St James’s University Hospital. He specialises in the management of pancreatic disease, including pancreatic cancer, cystic lesions of the pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and complex benign pancreatic conditions. He also has expertise in gallstone disease, acute pancreatitis, and emergency general surgery.
Mr Pathak graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006 and completed higher surgical training in the Severn Deanery, including academic appointments in Leeds and Bristol. He is actively involved in clinical research and is the Royal College of Surgeons of England Lead for Pancreatic Cancer Research. His research interests focus on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with pancreatic diseases. He is also Director of Education and Training for the Association of Upper GI Surgery in the UK and Ireland.
Mr Pathak is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and works closely with colleagues across radiology, oncology, gastroenterology, pathology, and specialist nursing teams to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment and support.
Mr Yazan Khaled Pancreatic consultant Surgeon
Mr Yazan Khaled is a University Academic Consultant Pancreaticobiliary Surgeon at the University of Leeds, UK and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He specialises in the management of complex pancreatic, biliary, and upper gastrointestinal diseases, with a particular interest in pancreatic cancer surgery and minimally invasive hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.
Alongside his clinical practice, Mr Khaled leads an active translational research programme focused on precision surgery for pancreatic cancer, including fluorescence-guided surgery, photodynamic therapy, organoid models, and nanoparticle-based therapeutics. He has published extensively in the fields of pancreatic cancer, surgical oncology, and innovative surgical technologies, and is actively involved in national and international collaborative research initiatives.
He serves as reviewer and editorial board member for several international journals and has a strong interest in surgical education, clinical trials, and perioperative optimisation in HPB surgery.
Surgeons
Mr Yazan Khaled is a University Academic Consultant Pancreaticobiliary Surgeon at the University of Leeds, UK and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He specialises in the management of complex pancreatic, biliary, and upper gastrointestinal diseases, with a particular interest in pancreatic cancer surgery and minimally invasive hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.
Alongside his clinical practice, Mr Khaled leads an active translational research programme focused on precision surgery for pancreatic cancer, including fluorescence-guided surgery, photodynamic therapy, organoid models, and nanoparticle-based therapeutics. He has published extensively in the fields of pancreatic cancer, surgical oncology, and innovative surgical technologies, and is actively involved in national and international collaborative research initiatives.
He serves as reviewer and editorial board member for several international journals and has a strong interest in surgical education, clinical trials, and perioperative optimisation in HPB surgery”.
Mr James Pine
Is a highly respected Consultant Pancreatico-Biliary Surgeon and clinical leader, recognised for his expertise in the management of complex benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas and biliary system. Since graduating from the University of Leeds in 2004, he has built an outstanding career combining advanced surgical practice, academic achievement, and service leadership.
Following completion of higher surgical training in the North East of England, James returned to Leeds in 2018 to undertake advanced fellowship training in pancreatic surgery, further refining his expertise in one of the most technically demanding areas of modern surgery. He specialises in both open and minimally invasive pancreaticobiliary procedures, delivering highly specialised care for patients with complex pancreatic, liver, and biliary conditions.
Alongside his clinical excellence, James has made significant contributions to academic surgery. He was awarded a Doctor of Medicine (MD) for his research into the immune response to cancer, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to advancing scientific understanding and improving outcomes for patients with cancer. His work reflects a dedication to innovation, evidence-based practice, and the translation of research into clinical benefit.
As Clinical Lead for the Pancreatic Surgery Unit at St James’s University Hospital, James provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the UK’s leading specialist pancreatic services. In this role, he oversees the delivery and development of complex pancreatic surgical care, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the highest standards of treatment, patient safety, and service excellence.
Widely regarded for his clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing pancreatic care, James continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of pancreatic surgery while delivering outstanding outcomes for patients across the region and beyond.
Andrew Smith
Is President of the Association of Upper GI Surgery (AUGIS) of Great Britain and Ireland and is recognised as a national leader in pancreatic surgery, clinical audit, research, and surgical education.
A highly respected upper gastrointestinal surgeon, he specialises in complex pancreatic and biliary surgery, performing major pancreatic and biliary resections for both benign and malignant disease. He serves as Chair of the National Pancreatic Audit Database, playing a pivotal role in driving quality improvement, benchmarking outcomes, and shaping pancreatic cancer care across the UK and Ireland.
Mr Smith leads a prolific research programme focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of pancreatic disease, with his work contributing to improvements in patient outcomes and informing national practice. He is also a passionate educator, holding an active role in the training and mentorship of the next generation of surgeons and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Alongside his specialist pancreatic practice, Mr Smith maintains a high-volume advanced laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery service. He is highly experienced in minimally invasive surgery for gallstone disease, abdominal wall disorders, and complex abdominal pain, combining technical excellence with a commitment to innovation and patient-centred care.
His contributions to clinical practice, research, education, and national quality improvement have established him as one of the leading figures in upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgery in the UK and Ireland.
Samir Pathak
Mr Samir Pathak is a Consultant Pancreatic and General Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, based at St James’s University Hospital. He specialises in the management of pancreatic disease, including pancreatic cancer, cystic lesions of the pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and complex benign pancreatic conditions. He also has expertise in gallstone disease, acute pancreatitis, and emergency general surgery.
Mr Pathak graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006 and completed higher surgical training in the Severn Deanery, including academic appointments in Leeds and Bristol. He is actively involved in clinical research and is the Royal College of Surgeons of England Lead for Pancreatic Cancer Research. His research interests focus on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with pancreatic diseases. He is also Director of Education and Training for the Association of Upper GI Surgery in the UK and Ireland
Mr Pathak is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and works closely with colleagues across radiology, oncology, gastroenterology, pathology, and specialist nursing teams to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment and support.
Mr Iestyn Shapey
Profile required.
Pancreas Advanced Practitioner
Benjamin Huntly
is a highly accomplished Advanced Clinical Practitioner with extensive expertise spanning surgical and critical care services. Renowned for his specialist knowledge in pancreatic disease, general surgery, venous access, and critical care, he plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with complex pancreatic conditions. Working at the forefront of multidisciplinary care, Benjamin collaborates closely with consultant surgeons and specialist teams to deliver expert assessment, treatment, and ongoing support across inpatient, outpatient, and tertiary referral settings. He is also instrumental in the management of a regional acute pancreatitis referral service, helping to coordinate care for some of the most complex cases.
In addition to his clinical leadership, Benjamin is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, where he contributes to the education and development of the next generation of healthcare professionals. His influence extends nationally through his role as Dietetics, Allied Health Professions, and Nursing Lead for the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS), where he champions multidisciplinary collaboration and workforce development across upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Benjamin also serves as the nursing representative for the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, providing strategic leadership and advocacy for the nursing profession within pancreatic care. Through his combined contributions to clinical practice, higher education, research, and national professional organisations, he has established himself as a respected leader in pancreatic healthcare, committed to advancing standards of care, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of the profession.
Hannah Kerrison Pancreas ACP
From a background in surgical nursing and advanced training within multiple surgical specialities, I work as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the Pancreas Team, providing specialist care for patients with complex pancreatic disease. My role includes advanced assessment and inpatient management, outpatient clinics, pre, peri-operative care and post-operative care, and supporting the tertiary acute pancreatitis referral service. I work closely within a multidisciplinary team to coordinate and deliver high-quality care across the patient pathway. I am committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care throughout every stage of treatment and recovery.’
Natalie is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the Leeds Pancreas Unit, with over 20 years of nursing experience spanning both medical and surgical specialties. She is highly experienced in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) conditions, with specialist expertise in pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. Her clinical interests include improving outcomes for people living with chronic pancreatitis, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing the lived experience of patients.
Prior to qualifying as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Natalie worked as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Nurse Specialist, where she established a reputation for delivering compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centred care. She has also been instrumental in redesigning the two-week wait referral pathway for HPB cancers across Leeds, driving improvements in the timeliness of specialist assessment, diagnosis, and access to treatment.
Natalie Austin
Natalie is committed to advancing clinical practice through service development, research, and innovation, continually seeking opportunities to improve the quality and delivery of care for people affected by pancreatic disease. A passionate advocate for her patients, she places their needs, values, and experiences at the centre of every clinical decision. Her collaborative approach, clinical leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her a respected member of the multidisciplinary team and a driving force in improving pancreatic care across the region.
Natalie is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the Leeds Pancreas Unit, with over 20 years of nursing experience spanning both medical and surgical specialties. She is highly experienced in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) conditions, with specialist expertise in pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. Her clinical interests include improving outcomes for people living with chronic pancreatitis, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing the lived experience of patients.
Prior to qualifying as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Natalie worked as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Nurse Specialist, where she established a reputation for delivering compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centred care. She has also been instrumental in redesigning the two-week wait referral pathway for HPB cancers across Leeds, driving improvements in the timeliness of specialist assessment, diagnosis, and access to treatment.
Natalie is committed to advancing clinical practice through service development, research, and innovation, continually seeking opportunities to improve the quality and delivery of care for people affected by pancreatic disease. A passionate advocate for her patients, she places their needs, values, and experiences at the centre of every clinical decision. Her collaborative approach, clinical leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her a respected member of the multidisciplinary team and a driving force in improving pancreatic care across the region.
Mr Yazan Khaled Pancreatic consultant Surgeon
Profile required.
Nursing Team
The ward (J82) has a multitude of Professionals caring for you. This includes the Senior Sister, Lauren Walker, who is responsible for the day to day management of the unit, and the nursing team who will be looking after you. There are 4 Junior Sisters who help support the activity on the ward as well as providing exceptional care to our patients. Additional to this there are Staff Nurses, Clinical Support Workers (CSW), Apprentice staff, Student Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Specialist Nurses.
Alison Kinany
I am a Registered Nurse with 25 years of surgical experience. I am passionate about Enhanced recovery after surgery.
My role allows we to support patients through all aspects involved in undergoing surgery.
This includes:
- Preoperative support understanding expectations and optimising your current health
- Post operative recovery using ERAS principles
- Discharge support during your recovery at home.
I do this by being open and honest with you and I use my expert knowledge to ensure you are informed at every step of the journey.
Pancreatic Cancer CNS Team
Ian, Cat and Amy
Our role is to support patients who are being given a diagnosis of a pancreatic cancer, make relevant referrals to appropriate cancer services and facilitate a timely patient pathway to treatment.
We cover Surgical, Oncology and Radiotherapy out patient clinics as well as patients admitted to hospital.
We are a point of contact for patients and their loved ones with any cancer related questions.
Pancreas Dietitians
The pancreatic dietitians work close with the team to enhance our patient’s recovery. They work on the ward as well as in out-patient clinic. Anna Burton, Kelly Wilson and Daniella Talbot are our specialist pancreatic dietitians. They are based at St James’s Hospital, Leeds. They are experienced in helping patients who have developed pancreatic enzyme insufficiency and diabetes as result of pancreatic disease and work closely with other members of the pancreatic MDT (doctors, advanced practitioners, nurses and specialist nurses) to ensure your nutritional state is optimised.
Gastroenterology
Matthew Huggett
I was appointed as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) in 2014. I have specialist registration in both Gastroenterology and Hepatology, with a major interest in pancreaticobiliary disease. I perform advanced level endoscopy including EUS and ERCP, as well as general endoscopy and colonoscopy.
My training involved experience at major centres in London including the Royal Free Hospital, King’s Liver Unit and St Mary’s Hospital, followed by a fellowship in advanced endoscopy at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. I was awarded a PhD from University College London in 2014 following my work into DNA replication in pancreatic cancer. My ongoing research interests include interventional endoscopy,chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cystic tumours. I am a founding member of the British Society of Gastroenterology Clinical Research Group for Pancreas.
I am the current President of The Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and Clinical Lead for Endoscopy at LTHT. I am Training Programme Director for Yorkshire Gastroenterology Training and a member of the BSG Endoscopy and Training Committees. I am the Project Lead for the JAG/ BSG Standards for Interventional EUS.
Dietician team
Kelly Wilson
I qualified as a Dietitian in 2005 and started my career as a Band 5 rotational Dietitian at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust working in medical and surgical specialities. I moved to Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2007 to undertake a specialist gastroenterology and surgical role before relocating to Leeds in 2008.
Throughout my career, I have developed extensive expertise in the nutritional management of patients undergoing complex surgery, with experience spanning general surgery, upper gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, and, since 2019, pancreatic surgery. During my time in colorectal services, I was also a member of the Nutrition Support Team, providing specialist nutritional management for patients with complex intestinal failure and those requiring enteral and parenteral nutrition.
In 2021, I completed an MSc in Nutrition, with my dissertation focusing on the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) alongside enteral feeding. This work incorporated a national survey of clinical practice and addressed an area where evidence and guidance remain limited. I presented my findings at the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Scientific Meeting in 2023, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in this area.
Alongside my clinical practice, I am actively involved in education and professional development. I have delivered national educational sessions for Pancreatic Cancer UK on pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) and have presented locally on optimising the use of PERT in the management of pancreatic disease. I am a member of the Nutrition Specialist Group of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (NSGPS) and actively involved with resource development and education. I am registered with the Health Care Professions Council.
I am passionate about translating emerging evidence into clinical practice and supporting healthcare professionals to improve nutritional care for people living with pancreatic disease. Working as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team is one of the aspects of my role that I value most. I am committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care and believe that empowering patients to understand and manage their condition through effective nutritional support and enzyme therapy is central to improving both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Anna Burton, Senior Specialist Pancreatic Dietitian
Anna Burton is a highly experienced Senior Specialist Pancreatic Dietitian with almost 30 years of clinical experience in nutrition and dietetics. She specialises in the nutritional management of pancreatic disease, providing expert care for people with pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and those undergoing pancreatic surgery.
Anna has jointly led the pancreatic dietetic service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2007, working as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence-based nutritional care before and after pancreatic surgery in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is passionate about helping patients understand their condition, optimise their nutrition, manage symptoms, and improve their quality of life.
After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Dietetics from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1997, Anna began her career in Newcastle, gaining extensive experience across gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, critical care, burns, immunology, paediatrics, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, and nutritional support, including total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In 2000, she joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals, where she specialised in upper gastrointestinal, hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, colorectal surgery, surgical high dependency care and nutritional support before focusing exclusively on pancreatic surgery.
Anna has a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nutrition from Leeds Beckett University and has developed particular expertise in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), nutritional support, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and Type 3c diabetes (diabetes secondary to pancreatic disease). She is recognised nationally for her work in Type 3c diabetes, regularly presenting at conferences, contributing to professional education, and supporting the development of training programmes and patient information resources.
Alongside her clinical practice, Anna is committed to advancing standards of care through education and professional leadership. She is Membership Secretary of the Nutrition Specialist Group of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (NSGPS) and is actively involved in national educational initiatives for healthcare professionals, including collaborations with Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Anna is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA). Her approach combines the latest evidence with compassionate, patient-centred care, empowering people with pancreatic conditions to manage their nutrition confidently throughout every stage of treatment and recovery.
Management Team
- Chris Clark – Matron
- Mr James Pine – Clinical Lead for Pancreas Services
- Robert Gadsby – Business Manager