About Dr Afzal
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Expert led paediatric clinical care with a strong focus on children & families
Dr Afzal is a Consultant in Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, UK. He is an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Southampton and a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Portsmouth.
Dr Afzal undertook specialist training in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and intestinal allergy at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Barts and The London, Royal Free Hospital, Chelsea Westminster and King’s College Hospital.
He provides a tertiary paediatric gastrointestinal service in Southampton, receiving referrals from across the South of England, and also heads the paediatric endoscopy service in Hampshire, delivering advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for children and adolescents. He has established several specialist joint clinics, including paediatric allergy, liver disease, pancreatic insufficiency, surgical liaison, and transition services.
National Leadership & Innovation
Dr Afzal has led major UK wide developments in paediatric endoscopy, including the Paediatric Global Rating Scale (pGRS), national quality standards, and the national paediatric endoscopy trainee course, shaping training, quality assurance, and service delivery nationwide.
He currently serves as an Expert Adviser to NICE, faculty member for the Queen Mary's University London MSc in Paediatric Gastroenterology, and lecturer on the University of Southampton MSc Allergy programme.
Research & Impact
Dr Afzal has authored over 90 peer reviewed publications with research interests covering paediatric IBD, nutrition, liver disease, allergy, and endoscopy.
His work includes leading the introduction of mitomycin for resistant paediatric oesophageal strictures, published in The Lancet and now adopted internationally, and use of ECP as a biomarker and the first UK application of the non invasive string test in paediatric eosinophilic oesophagitis, attracting BBC coverage.
Values & Interests
Alongside clinical and academic work, Dr Afzal supports charitable initiatives in child health.
