Dr. Björn Birk is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia at University Hospitals Sussex. He provides specialist care for patients with both acute and chronic pain, combining advanced clinical techniques with a compassionate, patient-centred approach. His areas of expertise include the management of back pain, joint pain, sciatica, neuropathic pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, and peripheral neuropathy. 

In addition to his work in pain medicine, Dr. Birk provides anaesthesia for a range of surgical specialities including trauma, orthopaedic, spinal, and ophthalmic surgery.

Dr. Birk qualified from Nottingham University Medical School in 2013 and undertook his early postgraduate training in anaesthesia in the South East of England. He went on to complete advanced training in Pain Medicine at St George’s Hospital, London, a major tertiary referral centre renowned for its expertise in complex pain management and regional anaesthesia. There, he gained extensive experience in interventional pain procedures, multidisciplinary pain management, and the treatment of neuropathic and spinal pain syndromes.

Following his advanced training Dr. Birk was appointed as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine at University Hospitals Sussex in 2023. 

Dr. Birk’s clinical interests include ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia and interventional pain techniques, which enhance precision, safety, and patient outcomes. He is actively involved in the research and development of ultrasound training phantoms, supporting simulation-based education for clinicians. His work in this area has been presented nationally and internationally and published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to improved procedural training and safety.

In addition to his clinical and research roles, Dr. Birk is passionate about medical education. He teaches medical students at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and mentors postgraduate doctors in anaesthesia and pain medicine. He is known for his approachable and structured teaching style, encouraging reflective learning and evidence-based clinical practice.

Dr. Birk is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine by examination. He contributes to ongoing professional development, clinical governance, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at advancing standards of care within his department and the wider Trust.

Outside medicine, Dr. Birk enjoys flying gliders and powered aircraft and has a strong interest in art and photography. These pursuits reflect his appreciation for precision, creativity, and attention to detail, qualities that underpin his approach to both medicine and life.

Clinical interests

Pain Medicine

• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Joint pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Post-herpetic neuralgia
• Peripheral neuropathy

Anaesthesia

• Trauma and Orthopaedic
• Spinal
• Ophtalmic Surgery

• Royal College of Anaesthetists
• Faculty of Pain Medicine