Ian qualified during the year preceding the introduction of the NHS so that his first posts were non NHS Professional Unit Woodend Hospital (owned and managed by Aberdeen City) and Strathcathro Hospital (voluntary) His career choice was influenced by the NHS introduction and his unfitness for military service arising from his illness midway through his student days. As a result after a variety of residential posts in Edinburgh City and Ashley Ainslie Hospital, Carlisle Infirmary and Northern Infirmary Inverness, including surgery (gene and orthopaedic) obstetrics and general medicine (including paediatrics) he embarked on a number of posts in the subject of main interest i.e. chest medicine at the registrar level beginning with work at the well known sanatorium Tor-na-Dee supervised by the chief MO, Dr RY Keirs. Here he met his future wife Frances a nurse at the hospital. He then moved to a 6 months post at Brompton Hospital then back to Royal Victoria Hospital Edinburgh and Spittal Street clinic. At this point he formed the impression that, with the introduction of the Mass Miniature Radiography programme and effective antibiotics there was a declining prospect in chest medicine. He therefore changed to public health starting with an academic year at the Usher Institute October 56 through to June 57 (Edinburgh University). Prior to this during his clinical posts he studied for his MRCP (Edinburgh) and was delighted to succeed at his first attempt in 1953 which reflected both his ability and determination.
His first public health post was in Nottingham City, 1957 to 59 where he later observed how this post coincided with concerns about the extent of the dangers of smoking. Despite being the home of Players Cigarettes the health committee was persuaded to health educate against smoking. Ian recalls being drafted to give a talk to a local youth club, which was not received to enthusiastically. Similarly, with the introduction of the clean air act a new housing estate was built with no coal fires, NUM members refused to live there. This post was followed by one with Leicester County council, which led subsequently to his move to Norfolk County Council as deputy Medial Health Officer of Health. Where he oversaw the transfer of British Red Cross Society and St Johns Ambulance to Norfolk County Services in addition to mental health an the full range of public health services.
When the first major re-organisation took place in 1974 including the integration of preventive and therapeutic services and the close co-ordination of health and social services. Ian was appointed as District Community Physician for Norwich Health District at the heart of the district management team where he remained until his retirement in 1982.
Ian continued to seek intellectual challenges after his retirement taking a part time course at the University of East Anglia for his BA (in History) obtaining his degree in 1986. In addition he sought to improve his domestic contribution by taking a course in cooking which he felt made him a better husband. He was always a strong family man with 5 children, two daughters and three sons recording memories of their development. Many years later he came to terms with the computer world. He is survived by five children and one grand daughter and his wife Frances who with her nursing background and continuing experience was always a strong support throughout his life.