Dr Hammond is a highly experienced Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist with over 30 years of expertise in internal medicine, rheumatology, and interventional pain management. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1980 and undertook postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology in Bristol, Bath, and at St Bart’s Hospital in London.

He completed an MD in the Immunopathology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus under the supervision of Professor Sir Mark Walport at Hammersmith Hospital, contributing to the understanding of autoimmune disease mechanisms.

In 1992, Dr Hammond was appointed Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist at Maidstone Hospital. Over the next 18 years, he led and expanded the department from a single consultant service to a team of three, establishing a strong research culture. During his tenure, he employed two research nurses, conducted 30 clinical research projects, and published nearly 50 peer-reviewed papers.

In 2010, Dr Hammond left Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to help establish the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (KIMS). He played a central leadership role and served as Clinical Chairman from 2013 to 2016, overseeing clinical strategy and development.

Dr Hammond currently practices full-time in Rheumatology and Interventional Pain Management. He works three days per week as a Locum Consultant Rheumatologist and dedicates one day weekly to Pain Management at Croydon University Hospital.