Phil graduated from the University of Otago in 1980 and completed his training in radiodiagnosis in 1991. He spent time in Vancouver and Cambridge during his training, concentrating on ultrasound, scintigraphy and MRI. He then spent eighteen months as a fellow in cardiac radiology at Green Lane Hospital.
Phil is currently Joint Clinical Head and Director of Ultrasound at Middlemore Hospital, with full involvement in the MRI, interventional, angiographic services provided there.