Jim Down is a consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia at University College London Hospitals and author of two memoirs both published by Viking, Penguin: ‘Life Support. Diary of an ICU doctor on the Frontline of the Covid Crisis’ & ‘Life in the Balance. A doctor’s stories of Intensive Care’.... Read more
NHS crisis: an intensive care doctor's remedy | The New Statesman
Inside the Expert’s Mind | Dr James Down
Podcast | NHS Anaesthetist: We converted arenas into emergency hospitals
Jim Down is a consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia at University College London Hospitals and author of two memoirs both published by Viking, Penguin: ‘Life Support. Diary of an ICU doctor on the Frontline of the Covid Crisis’ & ‘Life in the Balance. A doctor’s stories of Intensive Care’.
At various times Jim Down has been Clinical Director of his department, chair of the consultants’ group, Chair of Trust Guidelines Committee and Trust Ethics Lead. He has also lectured around the world at major medical and literary events including as the Aneurin Bevan Lecturer at the Hay Literary festival 2023.
Through his career Jim Down has been first responder at a major train crash, looked after multiple victims of the 2005 London Bombings, treated radioactive Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, managed a patient with an Ebola like virus, stabbed himself with a contaminated needle and worked on the frontline throughout the pandemic in one of the country’s busiest Covid ICUs.
Then in 2021 after a particularly stressful and tragic case he suffered a mental health crisis and had to stop working and take stock.
Following this Jim Down developed techniques to improve his own resilience and in doing so gained a deeper understanding of the risks faced by both patients and doctors.
An entertaining, humorous and thoughtful speaker. First-hand accounts of some high-profile ICU cases and health emergencies. Reflections on risk (both professional and personal), resilience and what it means to be a good doctor. An honest, personal account of the effect a highly stressful career can have on mental health and how to recover.
Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.
You can book Jim Down through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Jim's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Jim Down's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Jim tailored to your event.
Jim Down speaks on Health, Mental Health, Wellbeing. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Jim to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Jim Down for events worldwide, subject to Jim's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Jim Down is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Jim can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Jim Down on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Jim can offer.
Jim Down delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Jim Down's areas of expertise include Health, Mental Health, Wellbeing. To get a clear sense of Jim's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Jim Down can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Health, Mental Health, Wellbeing is relevant. Details of Jim's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Jim Down is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Jim Down, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Jim's current availability for your dates.