Graham Edward Foster studied medicine at Liverpool University and graduated MB, ChB in 1968. In 1974 he passed the fellowship of the college. He did house jobs at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary and was a lecturer and demonstrator in anatomy at the University. Moving to Nottingham he lectured in surgery at the university. Eventually he was appointed consultant surgeon to the Chester Health Authority. He was a member of the Liverpool Medical Institute and the Surgical Research Society and was the author of papers on gastrointestinal motility and wound sepsis.