He trained in Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care in Edinburgh and Glasgow. He gained MRCP(UK) in 1985 and FFARCSI in 1996. He completed an MD at the University of Edinburgh in 1996 and was elected FRCP(Edin) in 2002. He represented the RCPE on IBTICM from 2003-2010. Since 2000 he has been an active member of faculty at the Scottish Clinical Simulation Centre and currently chairs the SICS Education and Training Group and the Scottish Clinical Skills Network. He edits the Lothian Adult Medical Emergencies Handbook and (with Professor Mervyn Singer) The ABC of Intensive Care. Special interests include education, clinical decision making, handover, and end of life care. He is studying for a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in the Institute of Education at the University of Stirling.