Mumtaz Patel has been  a Consultant Nephrologist in Manchester since 2007.

She recalls and comments:

I am a second generation South Asian whose parents emigrated from India in the late 1960s. I was brought up with a dialysis machine in the front room at home in Preston, Lancashire from the time I was seven years old. My uncle from Zambia who was diabetic with ESRF had come to receive private treatment in the UK as there was no dialysis provision in Zambia at the time . My aunty was trained up to do dialysis at home and later they took the dialysis machine all the way to Zambia to continue his treatment.

So I was inspired to do renal medicine from a young age, and I went onto study medicine at the University of Manchester and worked with Professor Mallick and Professor Gokal as a medical student and newly qualified doctor. My first project as a medical student with Professor Mallick was on the quality of life of dialysis and transplant patients. I later did my specialist training in Yorkshire and wrote a PhD on the Genetics of Lupus Nephritis.

I can relate to many of the challenges around discrimination and more so inclusion in medicine and in particular renal and academic medicine. Being Asian and female, added to the stereotype that perhaps I should do General Practice and not pursue a career in renal or academic medicine, which was portrayed as too busy and challenging. Yes, work life balance is an issue for all of us and not just because I was Asian and female. Thankfully I had lots of very supportive mentors and wider support from my family and friends which made me believe in myself and my capabilities.

I share my story openly now and the challenges I faced to inspire others and hopefully enable others to be successful in their careers. I always say individual capability is not an issue, it is how the system can better support and enable individuals to progress. It is about working together to overcome the systemic and cultural barriers in medicine.  In all my roles, I do my best to advocate and support others, promoting diversity and inclusion to ultimately drive clinical excellence.

Last Updated on May 26, 2025 by John Feehally