Benign and malignant disease of the oesophagus and stomach
Abdominal wall hernia
Weight loss surgery

Consultant General & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Honorary Senior Lecturer, The University of Edinburgh

Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI)
Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons (AUGIS)
British Hernia Society (Education Secretary)
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
British Obesity Surgery Society

I graduated in medicine with Honours from Aberdeen University. My surgical training was mainly in Scotland, with my final year in Adelaide, South Australia. I was appointed Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 2001. I had broad training in General Surgery although my interest focussed on upper gastro-intestinal surgery, in particular diseases of the oesophagus and stomach along with gallstone disease. I have a national hernia surgery reputation and receive referrals in particular patients with complex incision hernia problems from all over the UK and, more recently, from Europe. I also have an interest in weight loss surgery.

I enjoy a variety of interests within medicine. I am the lead clinician for patient information for NHS Lothian, sitting on the Lothian Patient Information Strategy Group. I am Education Secretary on the British Hernia Society Council. The remit of this society is to promote best practice in hernia surgery in the UK. I also represent the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) Council, another vehicle to promote best medical practice. I have organised National Hernia Meetings and Masterclasses for the Edinburgh Surgical College, the British Hernia Society and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. I am bidding to bring the 2014 Annual European Society Meeting to Edinburgh.

In my spare time, I enjoy a variety of hobbies and interests. My two boys keep me fit. I coach a junior rugby team at Boroughmuir Rugby Football Club. I have my Private Pilot's License and fly a Piper Archer (which I part-own) out of Edinburgh Flying Club. I have a very keen interest in Formula 1 motor racing and I was a member of the track-side medical team at the 2000 Melbourne Grand Prix. For relaxation, I enjoy using my hands at embroidery and gardening. As an adopted Scotsman, I have a particular interest in whisky, and the period of Scottish History which ended at the Battle of Flodden.