Dr Ahmir Ahmad

Dr Ahmad’s interest in gastroenterology stems from his secondary education where he became fascinated in the digestive system.  He took this further through his medical degree at University College London and has delved even deeper into the world of colonoscopy through completion of his PhD at Imperial College London.  He has a real interest in the full spectrum of digestive disorders and keeps up to date with the latest research developments to help his patients achieve “gastro wellness”.

Values

  • High quality patient-centered care
  • Attention to detail to make the best decisions
  • Latest evidence to support wellness

Roles

Consultant Gastroenterologist and Specialist Endoscopist at St Mark’s National Bowel Hospital and works in the Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy which is recognised as a world centre for excellence.

Professional clinical advisor for NHS England to help support the national roll out of optical diagnosis in the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

A member of the British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Clinical Research Group.

Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London.

Education

Dr Ahmad completed his undergraduate training with distinction at University College London in 2010 and undertook a 4 year specialist clinical and research endoscopy fellowship at St Mark’s Hospital from 2018 to 2022. During this period he trained in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy under primary supervision of Professor Brian Saunders.  In 2023, he completed his PhD at Imperial College London exploring “Efficiency in Colonoscopy” throughout the patient pathway which has led to a change in national practice.

Research

Dr Ahmad’s research focus is about the performance of high quality colonoscopy to optimise patient outcomes.  He has a particular interest in improving efficiency in colonoscopy as well as optical and AI assisted diagnosis.  His earlier research about bariatric surgery made headline news in 2018.  He has published widely and has presented at a range of national and international conferences.  In 2024, he was elected as a member of the BSG Endoscopy Clinical Research Group to help support endoscopy research in the UK.

Projects
Publications

Teaching

Dr Ahmad is passionate about helping train the next generation of endoscopists.  He recently co-authored the 8th edition of the renowned textbook Cotton and Williams’ Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  This classic text covers the fundamentals of endoscopy and is widely used to support training.  During the covid pandemic, he co-convened the St Mark’s Hospital Endocation webinar series led by Dr Noriko Suzuki which had an online global audience from more than 100 countries.

Innovation

As a professional clinical advisor for NHS England, Dr Ahmad is helping to deliver the national roll out of optical diagnosis in the NHS England Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.  This is supporting greener, leaner, more cost-effective and efficient colonoscopy.  This national programme was adopted following DISCARD3, a major study he led exploring optical diagnosis.  The roll out went live in March 2024 and is expected to complete in 2027.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Clinical Medicine Research, Imperial College London, 2023
  • Specialty Certificate in Gastroenterology, Royal College of Physicians (UK), 2016
  • MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians), Royal College of Physicians (UK), 2013
  • MB BS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), University College London, 2010
  • Bsc in Medical Sciences with Physiology, University College London, 2007

Awards

  • Best Endoscopy Poster Award at BSG, 2022
  • John Nicholls' Prize for Research, 2021
  • ESGE Registration Grant Award, 2021
  • Joint Prankerd Jones Memorial Prize & Austin Heady Prize in Biometry for the Professional Development Spine, 2006
  • Jean Shanks Foundation Award, 2006

Memberships