Dr Sir Peter Simpson was Senior Lecturer in Anaesthetics, University of Bristol from 1978 to ‘82 and Consultant Anaesthetist to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol from 1982 to 2007, specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care for neuro- and thoracic surgery. 
He was the Medical Director of Frenchay before and during the merger with Southmead in 1999, to form the North Bristol NHS Trust.  Elected to Council of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 1997, serving as President from 2003/06. 

With a major interest in training, examinations, assessment and accreditation of anaesthetists, he became a Board Member and Deputy Chairman of PMETB, acting as Chair for 2004/05 and was also Chairman and a Trustee of NCEPOD from 2002/05.  He was the first elected President of the European Society of Anaesthesiology for 2006/07.  Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2006 as President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, for services to the NHS, he now Chairs the UK Donation Ethics Committee.