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I am a registered medical practitioner and I have been in a Specialist in Occupational Medicine for more than 20 years. During this time I have gained experience from a large variety of different industries as my services have been employed by both the Private Sector and by the Government Sector.I have given evidence as an expert witness to Courts and Tribunals in New Zealand and Australia. To ensure that my reports will withstand court scrutiny (if required) I always ensure I comply with the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses – this means always acting independently and scientifically, without fear or favour. I undertook postgraduate training between 1982-86 in Wellington, Dunedin, and Farnborough, England, becoming a registered specialist in 1986 recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand. I am currently vocationally registered in this field. In 1993 my specialist qualifications were recognised by the Royal College of Physicians, London Having been the inaugural Medical Co-ordinator for Wellington International Airport (1980-81) and then trained in the wider field of Community Medicine, I began specialising in both Occupational and Aviation Medicine. Initially working within the Department of Health and the Ministry of Transport, I made important contributions regarding the health of quarry workers exposed to asbestos dust, hazards to hearing in a major symphony orchestra, and occupational health services for workers in a major hospital. I gave ongoing advice on occupational health of marine, meteorology, aviation and land transport staff, assisting with fitness standards for drivers and for MOT employees working offshore. In 1987 I was the Chief Medical Adviser for the Airways Corporation of NZ. In 1988 I became Principal Medical Officer of what is now the Civil Aviation Authority. During the 1990s I assisted the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Faculty of Occupational Medicine as an examiner (setting and marking part of its Fellowship Examination). Also I was a contributing author to the Diploma in Aviation Medicine (Otago University). I made a major contribution to medical aspects of current CAA safety legislation and achieved ISO 9001 accreditation for CAA’s medical unit before I left in 1998. I continued being involved in certification of pilots as an AMA, and then after the introduction of the 2001 amendment act, as a Medical Examiner grade 1. I maintained this role until August 2004, resigning in order to focus more on my specialist work. As an independent consultant to a wide range of corporations, government departments, and insurers I have provided consultant services and informal advice to international companies such as Baker-Hughes WesternGeCo, and Alert Disaster Control. During 2008 - 20010 I provided the medical component of assessments at Massey University Psychology Clinic (Palmerston North) for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury or with chronic pain problems, and I continue with the latter. I have been intimately involved in the areas of managing alcohol problems in professional pilots, and the risk assessment approach to safety, and am accredited by NASA to give training in fatigue countermeasures (relevant to shift workers and international travellers, as well as in the field of transport). In New Zealand I continue to practise aviation medicine, as Aeromedical Adviser to the NZ Air Line Pilot Association. I am a member of the NZ Ergonomics Society, the Australia & NZ Society of Occupational Medicine, the UK Society of Occupational Medicine, the Aerospace Human Factors Association, and the Aviation Medical Society of NZ (of which I have been Secretary, then Vice President). I am an Associate Fellow of the international Aerospace Medical Association.
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