David Rowbotham
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
MB BS 1987 Newcastle; MRCP (UK) 1991; FRACP 2016
David Rowbotham graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School and completed specialist training in both Gastroenterology and Hepatology at internationally recognised centres in London and Leeds, including King’s College Hospital. He moved to New Zealand in 1999 to take up a Specialist Gastroenterologist position at Auckland Hospital, where he established New Zealand’s first services for push enteroscopy and wireless capsule endoscopy.
After five years in Auckland, David returned to the United Kingdom in 2004, where he worked as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at a large general hospital in south-east London. He later returned to Auckland and resumed his role at Auckland City Hospital, including serving as Clinical Director of Gastroenterology from 2007 to 2015. He continues to work predominantly in the public sector and is currently Research Lead for the Department of Gastroenterology.
David has been the Principal Investigator for a number of major clinical trials in inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. He is known for combining extensive clinical and endoscopic expertise with clear communication, a warm patient manner, and a dry sense of humour that helps put patients at ease.
Areas of Expertise
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy
Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and enteroscopy
Wireless capsule endoscopy
Inflammatory bowel disease
Coeliac disease and reflux disease
Rectal bleeding and altered bowel habit
Contact Details
Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Auckland City Hospital
Email David →
Mobile: 021 492 334
Q&A with David
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love my work. How good is it to pay the mortgage but also enjoy what you do? I always say to my kids, try to make a positive difference in this world. With medicine I feel like that is a gift we have. It may be one patient or procedure on a morning list, but to that patient it is their whole life in that moment, so we can guide them through their endoscopy journey with care and compassion and hopefully leave them with only positive memories of what can be a stressful time.
How do you help patients feel comfortable during a procedure?
I am from the North of England – the Lake District to be precise. This background has gifted me two important traits: an ability to communicate without getting lost in medical jargon, and a sense of humour. Life is too short – we all need to try to enjoy it along the way!
What areas of care are you particularly focused on?
My particular interests are diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), colorectal cancer and bowel cancer screening, wireless capsule endoscopy, and oesophageal physiology, including manometry and 24-hour pH studies.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love baking – and my family loves helping with the finished product – and I particularly enjoy spending time in the garden. If I had any spare time, I would also love to spend more time behind the camera.
A favourite place in Auckland?
I’m a runner (I used to be quite good!), so Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill are where you’ll usually find me early every Sunday morning with my eclectic bunch of running mates.
Something patients might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a die-hard Leeds United supporter and still wear the English Red Rose proudly despite being in New Zealand since 1999 – you haven’t assimilated me yet!
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