Miss Katherine Smith

Miss Katherine Smith is a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, where she has been a consultant since 2016.

She provides expert assessment and treatment for a wide range of colorectal conditions, combining evidence-based practice with a compassionate, patient-centred approach.

She specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of bowel conditions including colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulae, pilonidal disease, rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit.

She also has extensive experience in abdominal wall hernia surgery, emergency general surgery and minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) colorectal procedures.

Approach to patient care

Miss Smith believes in involving patients in every stage of decision-making, ensuring they fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options.

She is committed to delivering high-quality, personalised care with excellent clinical outcomes and aims to make every patient feel informed, supported and confident throughout their treatment journey.

Education

Following higher surgical training in the East Midlands, Miss Smith was awarded the nationally appointed Ethicon Laparoscopic Colorectal Fellowship at Frimley Park Hospital. This highly competitive fellowship provided advanced training in complex laparoscopic colorectal surgery and further developed her expertise in minimally invasive techniques.

Teaching and research

Alongside her clinical practice, Miss Smith is actively involved in education, research and surgical training. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Leeds for research into colorectal cancer and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.

She currently serves as the UK National Lead for Core Surgical Education, leading the development of surgical education programmes and resources used by trainees across the country.

She is also Training Programme Director for Higher Surgical Training in the East Midlands and contributes nationally to FRCS examination question writing and higher surgical selection.