Birth: I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1960.

Heritage: I come from a long line of Scottish ancestry, which has been traced back through ancestral lines to 1580. DNA testing confirms a presence in Northern Europe for over 40000 years via my Paternal lineage, and a presence of over 30,000 years via my Maternal lineage. So although I talk funny (with a Zimbabwean accent), I can claim a very long Scottish heritage.

Schooling: Oriel Boys High School, Harare, Zimbabwe

Medical degree (MBChB Zimb): Godfrey Huggins School of Medicine in Harare, Zimbabwe.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Anaesthetic Specialist Training: Department of Anaesthesia Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, culminating in South African fellowship (FFA SA) from the College of Medicine of South Africa.                                                                                                                                                       

Botswana: In 1993 I moved to the Gaborone Private Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana, where in addition to my anaesthetic services, I sat as a Director on the board of the hospital and helped to shape the provision of private healthcare in Botswana .                                                                                                                                                                             

I developed the first regular Anaesthetic Educational program in Botswana by forming the Gaborone Anaesthetic Journal Club. This led to the first meeting between Government and Private Anaesthetists in Botswana, which rapidly developed into a lasting relationship.

I was instrumental in attaining membership of the Botswana Society of Anaesthetists to the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA). I represented Botswana at the WFSA Congress in Paris, 2004, and sat on the General Assembly of the WFSA at that meeting.                                                                                                                                                  

Great Yarmouth: In 2005 I moved to a substantive Consultant Anaesthetist post at James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, where I was inspirational in introducing “Dual Anaesthetizing”, which improved the flow of cases through the Orthopaedic Theatres, and is still being used today.                                                                                                                                

Elgin: I moved up to Elgin in the North of Scotland in May 2006 to take up a Consultant Anaesthetist position at Dr Gray’s Hospital. I worked there until my retirement from full-time NHS work in April 2020.                                                                                               

 Pre-assessment: I have led the conception, initiation, promotion and development of a Pre-admission Assessment Unit at Dr Gray’s Hospital. This involved massive interdisciplinary interaction throughout the hospital, with members of the Moray Community, General Practitioners, and with other hospitals across the North of Scotland.

Major roles: at Dr Gray’s Hospital include Lead Clinician for the Department of Anaesthesia (twice), Lead Paediatric Anaesthetist, Clinical Governance Lead for the Anaesthetic Department, Associate Medical Director for Dr Gray’s Hospital and recently Unit Clinical Director for Dr Gray’s Hospital.

Locum Work: Having retired from Dr Gray’s Hospital in April 2020, I undertook a variety of Locum Consultant Anaesthetist work in Scotland and the Isle of Man. My plan was to work essentially 50% of the time, to “be my own boss” and to be able to undertake work which stimulates me, and which I enjoy, in places where I like to be. Typically, I ended up doing more than this most of the time. In 2023, I became the Managing Director for Moray Anaesthetic Consultants Ltd and worked through them continuing to do locums and private contracts. Due to financial constraints, this type of work became very limited and in  April 2024, I hung up my theatre clogs for the last time and retired from Clinical work completely. 

I’m now exploring part-time Non-Executive Director and advisory roles where I can make a meaningful contribution. I’m especially interested in organisations focused on public service, innovation, and improving how care is delivered.