Consultant Psychiatrist
Biography:
Degrees and Education
BSc (Hons); MBBS; MD; FRCPE; FRCPsych; FRANZCP
General Medical Council (3286685)
My Career Journey
Working full-time as a medical doctor (graduating from UCL) since 1988, specialising in psychiatry since 1991. Trained at the prestigious Maudsley hospital in London and the Institute of Psychiatry, and later the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
NHS Consultant Psychiatrist in Glasgow then at the Royal Edinburgh, including setting up an award-winning home treatment team, till 2017. Then took up an opportunity to develop clinical skills in Brisbane, being highly rated for clinical care by patients, before returning to Scotland.
Honorary academic work involving lectures, research and supervision. H index = 30.
Appointments
2022 - now Consultant Psychiatrist, The Edinburgh Practice, UK
2021 – current: Full Professor, Griffith University School of Medicine, Australia
2016 – current: Associate Professor, University of Queensland, Australia
2015 – current: Associate Editor, Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, SAGE publications.
2012 – 2013: Invited Chair, Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, clinical guideline 131.
Clinical Interests:
Mental health conditions generally, but specifically:
Adults over 18 years with psychological disorders such as PTSD; depression; anxiety; bipolar; suicidality; paranoia and psychosis; addictions; chronic pain; personality vulnerabilities; and complex trauma.
I also have experience in developmental conditions; as well as neuropsychiatric and cognitive diagnoses.
I have expertise and experience in diagnosis and treatment choices after training in general medicine and neurology before psychiatry.
Medicolegal Experience:
2022-now: Independent medico-legal work via Resolve, throughout Scotland. Expert witness CPD.
2018-21: Wide experience of personal injury cases, both pursuer and defendant report provision every week, including major insurers such as AIA and Allianz (defendant) and local plaintiff firms. Retained as an expert witness for the Mental Health Court, Queensland, for criminal / unsoundness of mind cases, including oral evidence under cross-examination.
2012-2016: Independent reports for Mental Health Tribunal, Scotland. Expert civil psychiatric reports for DLA Piper and Digby Brown (amongst other firms) and more latterly via Resolve, Glasgow.
2006-2012: Invited by the Scottish Govt to take lead role in developing and delivering training materials and seminars for the Mental Health Act, Scotland.
Since 2022, I have produced >100 independent medico-legal reports per annum, within one month of receiving instructions, for both pursuer and defender (85:15 ratio).
Professional Memberships:
GMC
AHPRA
Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK
Royal College of Psychiatrists, Australia & NZ
Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh
