Professor Irshad Shaikh

Professor Irshad Shaikh is a seasoned consultant general and colorectal surgeon practicing at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Karnatak University, India, in 1997. He subsequently trained in Scotland and completed his higher surgical training on the Southeast Thames rotation in London.

In 2008, he was awarded an MD (research) with commendation from the University of Aberdeen and achieved his CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) in general and colorectal surgery in 2013.

Following this, he undertook a year-long RSO fellowship at St Mark’s Hospital,London, followed by a laparoscopic colorectal surgery fellowship sponsored by Ethicon in 2014. He also received specialised training in managing locally advanced rectal cancers, including pelvic exenteration.

In October 2014, Professor Shaikh was appointed consultant general and colorectal surgeon at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He previously served as an honorary consultant surgeon at St Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, London. He leads the advanced rectal cancer surgery team, Lead robotic colorectal surgeon and serves as joint lead for anal cancer surgery. He is one of two surgeons at NNUH accredited by the JAG as a national bowel cancer screening (BSCP) endoscopist.

Professor Shaikh spearheaded the introduction of the robotic colorectal surgery program at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He is a European-level trainer for robotic colorectal surgery and an experienced proctor accredited by EARCS. He has played a key role in supporting robotic colorectal cancer surgery programs across Scottish health boards and multiple hospitals in England. He regularly provides robotic surgery training to colorectal surgeons throughout Europe and is also a national trainer for laparoscopic colorectal surgery courses. This was recognised by the award of National clinical excellence in 2022.

He has described and published numerous innovative surgical techniques in peer-reviewed journals and has a strong interest in clinical research involving robotic and laparoscopic surgery. He has received research grants in Aberdeen (2006-7) and Norwich (2020) for cancer and robotic surgery studies. Dedicated to education, he mentors and proctors junior and senior consultants in robotic surgery and completed a Master’s in Clinical Education from the University of East Anglia in 2019. He had also served as a college tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

His clinical expertise includes investigations and treatment of Colorectal cancer, Anal cancer, surgery for anal fistula and fissures, haemorrhoids (including the HALO procedure), Appendix surgery, Diverticular disease surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, Open/laparoscopic/robotic rectal prolapse surgery, laparoscopic/robotic abdominal hernia repair, Bowel stoma procedures, National bowel screening colonoscopy (BCSP) and locally advanced pelvic cancers. His cancer surgery outcomes have been published both online and in peer-reviewed journals.