Having studied under Professor Cushieri in Dundee to registrar level I underwent intense training on the notorious Aberdeen Surgical rotation from 1987 until I reached consultant level 1996.
As such I have had huge experience before and post 1996 in the management of colorectal cancer and all aspects of inflammatory bowel disease and coloproctology. I performed my 1000th colon major resection a few years back and have one of the best outcomes and lowest anastomotic morbidity in Scotland.
I was the Chairman of the SE Scotland Colorectal Cancer network since its conception for 5 years and the Director of a comprehensive Designed Healthcare Innitiative for Colorectal Cancer Pathway planning and redesign. I have championed awareness for Colorectal Cancer via involvement in several National bodies and by presenting to a spectrum of local societies and bodies. I have served on the Project Boards for both Colorectal Cancer Screening and the Clinical Standards/QiS for Colorectal Cancer.
I still find time and enthusiasm for new techniques and have been at the forefront to introduce LIFT (for fistula) and HALO (Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation) and created the new Edinburgh Haemorrhoid Centre which will be live soon and housed in SPIRE. I will be performing the first TEMS (Trans Anal Endoscopic Microsurgery) procedures this year for low rectal tumours following training in Germany 2009.
I have been heavily involved in surgical training for the last 14 years at local and National Collegiate levels and act as a senior trainer on the RCSEd Advanced Anastomotic and Basic Surgical Skills Courses. I am developing Training Guidelines and Modules for Colorectal Surgeons and intend to join the faculty of Training the Trainers in Colonoscopy in 2010.