Dr Dawson grew up in Gateshead and graduated in Medicine from the University of Leeds in 1997. Her family moved from Leeds to Chester-le-Street in 2005. She is a GP partner in a large practice in Derwentside. She is also Group Secretary of the local Scout group and is a first holy communion catechist at St. Cuthbert’s Church. Her older two children attended St. Cuthbert’s School and her youngest is a current pupil.