MB ChB Manch 1904, ChM 1912; FRCS Eng 1912.
Hughes received his medical education at the University of Manchester, MRI and the London Hospital. After graduating, Hughes held junior appointments at MRI, Manchester Throat Hospital and Manchester Children's Hospital, where he later became visiting surgeon. He was also demonstrator in anatomy and lecturer in clinical anatomy at the University of Manchester, and was later also lecturer in operative surgery. Hughes was senior resident medical officer at Cheadle before being appointed surgical registrar at MRI. He was also consultant surgeon at Monsall Hospital and Stretford Memorial Hospital, honorary consulting surgeon at Ancoats Hospital, and visiting surgeon at Booth Hall Hospital. Member of Manchester Medical Society and one of the founding members of Manchester Surgical Society, of which he was later president. Also honorary secretary of Manchester Pathological Society, was a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the Association of British Surgeons.