EPISODE · Jun 22, 2008 · 35 MIN

Ara Darzi

from Desert Island Discs · host BBC Radio 4

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the pioneering surgeon Professor Ara Darzi. He was born in Iraq and brought up in Baghdad but he moved to Ireland when he was 17 to study medicine. He came to England to finish his training and, highly talented and ambitious, was made a consultant when he was barely out of his 20s. Since then he's been nick-named 'Robo-doc' for spearheading the use of keyhole surgery in Britain and for introducing robotics to the operating theatre. For the past year he has combined his surgical work with a position in government - he is a health minister and, on the eve of the NHS's 60th birthday, he is charged with reshaping the NHS in England. It is, he says, the greatest challenge he has yet faced. Favourite track: Seven Seconds by Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry Book: Yes, Minister by Jonathan Lynn Luxury: Pencil and paper

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 22, 2008

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

Ara Darzi

0:00 35:02

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Epic: Silver Wing Realm EPIC is your new HQ for Realm’s exhilarating action and adventure stories, with new episodes dropping every Monday introduced by host Faith McQuinn. Embark on your greatest adventures yet, whether it’s crash landing on a desolate planet with only a cerebrally-embedded AI to guide you, or realizing that your latest game design is the only thing staving off total global annihilation. So unsheath those earbuds, clench that steering wheel, and buckle up because EPIC is about to take off. This month, we are featuring Silver Wing: On a desert planet in the far future, an old dragon hunter embarks on a desperate journey to save her estranged son. For centuries, the dragons have been sleeping. But in their rest, they provide a crucial energy source necessary to keep the planet Toon Flats habitable. Amphet Dahl is a diviner, gifted with the ability to sense the dragons’ dreams and memories and to the disappointment of her son, Afton, she uses this ability to This Tiny World This Tiny World Podcast Lighthouse keepers. Monks. Night guards. Astronauts. Island caretakers. What do these people all have in common? They live in tiny worlds, hidden from everyday life, where they have to figure out what makes them tick and how to keep themselves entertained. This Tiny World reports the captivating stories of people who live and work off the beaten path, in solitary conditions, or remote areas far from home. Join us as we explore their unique lives and professions. First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen Arizona's Family (3TV & CBS 5) First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen is a show that covers not only weather and climate but also other interesting topics related to Arizona. The Arizona's Family First Alert Weather team uses this platform to explore subjects such as astronomy, desert gardening, our landscape, our precious resources, and more. It's a forum that allows us to go beyond the forecast, which is why it's called First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen. Desert Air Nevada Public Radio Desert Air is the best of Desert Companion magazine for your ears — arts and culture coverage, thoughtful commentary, and creative nonfiction. This podcast provides a space for interviews and storytelling unlike any other, connecting Southern Nevadans with each other and their home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Desert Island Discs?

This episode is 35 minutes long.

When was this Desert Island Discs episode published?

This episode was published on June 22, 2008.

Can I download this Desert Island Discs episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!