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About Dr Ayesha Akbar
Personal Profile
Dr Ayesha Akbar is a nationally recognised expert in gastroenterology. She is a key opinion leader in her field, with a strong focus on patient care, clear communication, and satisfaction.
She joined the world-renowned St Mark’s Hospital (National Bowel Hospital) as a Consultant Gastroenterologist in 2010. Her clinical interests include general gastroenterology, with a particular focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional bowel disorders.
Alongside her clinical work, Dr Akbar has held several senior leadership roles. These include Associate Medical Director, Divisional Clinical Director, and Director of Research & Development. She is currently Deputy Chief Medical Officer and the Responsible Officer for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. This covers St Mark’s, Northwick Park, Ealing, and Central Middlesex Hospitals.
She leads on areas such as patient safety, clinical outcomes, performance management, and governance.
Dr Akbar is an expert in managing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She also has a special interest in abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly in complex cases that overlap with IBD. She manages a broad range of gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhoea. She is fully trained in procedures such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy.
Dr Akbar is passionate about education and research. She teaches regularly and contributes to national programmes. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2015. She also served as National Education Chair for the British Society of Gastroenterology for three years.
She is currently a national clinical lead for gastroenterology for NHS England’s GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) programme.
Dr Akbar studied medicine at the University of Manchester, where she graduated with Honours and multiple academic distinctions and prizes. She completed her specialist training in general medicine and gastroenterology in London. During this time, she worked at several top hospitals, including Hammersmith, Royal London, University College London, and St James’s in Leeds.
Her PhD from Imperial College London focused on “Molecular mechanisms of visceral hypersensitivity in the colon.” Her research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.
Dr Akbar is often invited to speak at national and international medical conferences. She sits on expert advisory panels and contributes to the development of clinical guidelines. She has also advised on NICE panels and local IBD initiatives.
Patient care is at the heart of her work. She consistently receives excellent feedback from patients and colleagues alike. One 360-degree review described her as:
“Inspiring and exceptional. A leader who stays calm under pressure and gives 100% to patient care. Creative, supportive, and grounded — she empowers those around her and brings positivity wherever she goes. It’s a privilege to work with her.”
Dr Akbar combines deep clinical expertise with compassion, leadership, and innovation.
She joined the world-renowned St Mark’s Hospital (National Bowel Hospital) as a Consultant Gastroenterologist in 2010. Her clinical interests include general gastroenterology, with a particular focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional bowel disorders.
Alongside her clinical work, Dr Akbar has held several senior leadership roles. These include Associate Medical Director, Divisional Clinical Director, and Director of Research & Development. She is currently Deputy Chief Medical Officer and the Responsible Officer for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. This covers St Mark’s, Northwick Park, Ealing, and Central Middlesex Hospitals.
She leads on areas such as patient safety, clinical outcomes, performance management, and governance.
Dr Akbar is an expert in managing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She also has a special interest in abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly in complex cases that overlap with IBD. She manages a broad range of gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhoea. She is fully trained in procedures such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy.
Dr Akbar is passionate about education and research. She teaches regularly and contributes to national programmes. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2015. She also served as National Education Chair for the British Society of Gastroenterology for three years.
She is currently a national clinical lead for gastroenterology for NHS England’s GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) programme.
Dr Akbar studied medicine at the University of Manchester, where she graduated with Honours and multiple academic distinctions and prizes. She completed her specialist training in general medicine and gastroenterology in London. During this time, she worked at several top hospitals, including Hammersmith, Royal London, University College London, and St James’s in Leeds.
Her PhD from Imperial College London focused on “Molecular mechanisms of visceral hypersensitivity in the colon.” Her research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.
Dr Akbar is often invited to speak at national and international medical conferences. She sits on expert advisory panels and contributes to the development of clinical guidelines. She has also advised on NICE panels and local IBD initiatives.
Patient care is at the heart of her work. She consistently receives excellent feedback from patients and colleagues alike. One 360-degree review described her as:
“Inspiring and exceptional. A leader who stays calm under pressure and gives 100% to patient care. Creative, supportive, and grounded — she empowers those around her and brings positivity wherever she goes. It’s a privilege to work with her.”
Dr Akbar combines deep clinical expertise with compassion, leadership, and innovation.
Clinical Interests
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis
- Abdominal pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Reflux
- Chronic constipation
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Functional bowel disorders
Professional Memberships
- Royal College of Physicians
- British Society of Gastroenterology
- General Medical Council
