Patrick graduated from Monash Medical School in 1977 and after an early exposure to rural general practice has enjoyed a long career as a specialist anaesthetist with a practice ranging from paediatrics to major reconstructive and complex airway surgery.

In addition to having served on the board of directors of the Victorian Anaesthetic Group, Patrick has served on the medical advisory panel of MIGA (Medical Insurance Group Australia) and on the advisory panel and board of directors of indemnity insurer Invivo Medical Pty Ltd. In addition, he has served on the Victorian Executive Committee of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists and over ten years as a member of the Victorian Consultative Council on Anaesthetic Mortality and Morbidity. Dr Hughes also serves on the Australian Regenerative Medicine (ARMI) Leadership Advisory Board.

Throughout his career he has been involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and clinical research. Growing up in a family of doctors he has been able to witness firsthand the growth of innovation and research in the medical sciences, its effect on the delivery of health care and its remarkable impact on people’s lives.