After training in Edinburgh I specialised and qualified in Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction in Maxillofacial, plastic surgery and burns units in Scotland, London, culminating in Norwich as clinical lead and head of department. This included involvement with maxillofacial and plastic surgery, ophthalmology, ear nose and throat departments. I am a past Member of Council, Honorary Secretary and Chairman of The Institute for Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists, meeting at the Royal College of Surgeons at that time, Chairman, Director and Trustee working in General Medical Practice settings with particular interest in clinical psychotherapy having qualified in this subject to doctorate level. I was a Recognised Teacher on the MB BS (Medical Degree Course) at the University of East Anglia.
Following acute illness I retired from the Maxillofacial world and made a career change and therefore my qualifications include a Master’s degree (Clinical Psychotherapy for Maxillofacial Disfigurement, trauma and cancer patients), a Doctorate (Clinical Psychotherapy) a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Counselling, I was a Registered Psychotherapist and Supervisor with Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Primary Care (NHS), an Associate Membership with The British Psychological Society, and a member of the Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network, Royal College of Psychiatrists.
I have a particular expertise in and have taught on specialist postgraduate courses having lectured both in the U.K. and Europe on both my specialties and written and delivered specialist courses both in maxillofacial prosthetic reconstruction following trauma and cancer and clinical psychotherapy for head and neck cancer patients, specialist courses for example on eating disorders, working with children and adolescents, self-harm, abuse (physical, sexual and child) and anxiety and depression. I have worked in the Mental Health Teams within Children’s Social Services and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMS) and had my own Private Practice. I was for many years the Consultant for a major national self-harm professional Trust.
With others I have been involved with the specialist needs of children and young people with Mears-Irlen Syndrome (Visual Stress) and supervised the mental health aspect of school nurses and Children’s Services for the CAMHS teams. I spent a year as Deputy Head and Head of Care at a Preparatory boarding school for children with acute dyslexia as well as five years as the head of counselling and psychotherapy services for a drugs and alcohol team.
My practice and experience includes acute hospital departments, GP practice settings, the private sector, charitable and independent sectors, universities and schools. I have a special interest in spiritual issues having been a lay pastor in a church fellowship for deaf and hearing compromised people and children for some 10 years. He was previously an Officer with the Varsity and Public Schools section of the Scripture Union and Chairman of the Board of the YMCA in his area.
STEM
My STEM INVOLVEMENT. Having retired I am a Member of two Amateur Radio organisations and the Radio Society of Great Britain which has been advancing Amateur Radio since 1913.
I am keen to have children, school students, organisations teachers and leaders of organisations such as the Scouts take up this hobby with involves many aspects of STEM subjects, teaching and study.
Amateur Radio is a popular technical hobby that uses designated radio frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and sometimes emergency communications. Amateur Radio is the only hobby governed by international treaty.
As a Radio Amateur you are able to transmit radio signals on radio frequency bands allocated specifically to the Radio Amateurs. You need to gain your Licence and your personal Call Sign issued by the Government through OfCom in order to transmit as an Amateur Radio Licence Holder.
Many Amateur Radio operators use VHF, UHF and HF wave bands and can often reach distant countries. For example, I have spoken on the radio with other operators in Australia and South Argentina. I am currently establishing a Amateur Radio Association in Dumfries and Galloway and am keen to establish workshops, give talks and lead discussions on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths involved with obtaining and using an Amateur Radio Licence.
There are THREE levels of Amateur Radio License Exams. The Radio Society of Great Britain is responsible for setting and marking these exams which are…. 1. Foundation Amateur Radio License, 2. Intermediate Amateur Radio License, 3. Full Amateur Radio License.
All Amateur Radio Licenses are issued by Ofcom who are the regulator for the communications services we use and rely on each day and Amateur Radio Licence Holders are regulated by Ofcom and the rules that apply to us as Amateur Radio Licence radio operators.
I am happy to be involved where needed in order to advance students and their studies and therefore offer input in any aspect which my experience may be helpful. Holding a Amateur Radio licence opens doors into many job opportunities.