Donaldson qualified in medicine from the University of Bristol in 1972, and he did his two six-month pre-registration house jobs at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
He graduated with an MSc in anatomy from the Birmingham University in 1976.

Donaldson was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in 1998.
Between 1994 and 1998 he was Regional Director for the NHS Region of Northern and Yorkshire, and prior to that Regional Medical Officer and Regional Director of Public Health for the Northern Regional Health Authority.
He began his career as a surgeon before training in public health.
Donaldson qualified in medicine from the University of Bristol in 1972, and he did his two six-month pre-registration house jobs at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He graduated with an MSc in anatomy from the Birmingham University in 1976.
Donaldson was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in 1998. Between 1994 and 1998 he was Regional Director for the NHS Region of Northern and Yorkshire, and prior to that Regional Medical Officer and Regional Director of Public Health for the Northern Regional Health Authority. He began his career as a surgeon before training in public health.
Liam Donaldson