Personal Profile
Dr Freshwater graduated from University College London in 1992 and undertook his initial medical training in the South West region, and Hampshire.
Following this he undertook specialist training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the West Midlands region, rotating through many of the teaching hospitals within the region including a clinical post at the liver unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and also posts at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire as well as City Hospital and Dudley Group of Hospitals. His training stimulated a sub-specialist interest in hepatology (The study of liver disease), which led Dr Freshwater to undertake further training at the liver unit and also and a research doctorate at the University of Birmingham investigating viral hepatitis in liver transplant patients. He became a Consultant in 2006, and since then has been based at the Liver Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, treating patients with all aspects of liver disease including patients requiring liver transplantation. He also continues to provide services as a Gastroenterologist within the hospital including endoscopy services. He has wide experience in all aspects of liver disease (Including liver transplantation) and also general gastroenterology including inflammatory bowel disease, the investigation of altered bowel habit and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dr Freshwater continues to undertake both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures in the upper and lower GI tract, including Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography. Dr Freshwater has published many research papers in the areas of liver disease and gastroenterology and has written medical book chapters.
He is also an editorial board member for the international journal Digestive and Liver Disease. Dr Freshwater also maintains an interest in clinical teaching and is a GMC registered Educational Supervisor, regularly providing supervision and support to Specialist Registrars and Foundation Doctors. He also regularly holds teaching sessions for junior doctors and is a regular teacher on specialist courses both at home and abroad.
Father to two grumpy teenagers, Dr Freshwater enjoys hobbies including sailing, motorcycling and clay pigeon shooting, which take up much of his limited leisure time. He is also blessed with a very understanding wife!
