Appreciation

n Martin Lees MD, FRCOG, FRCSE, FRCPE, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Born: 24 April, 1935, in Saltcoats, Ayrshire. Died: 22 June, 2015, in Peebles, aged 80. M ARTIN Lees was born in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, and attended Aberdeen Grammar School.

Although he considered a career as a professional pianist, he entered Aberdeen Medical School, from which he graduated in 1958. He subsequently did house jobs in combined adult and paediatric medicine, but his choice of career was influenced most strongly by Sir Dugald Baird, Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Aberdeen.

Dr Lees then completed a year of surgical training in the North Middlesex Hospital, London, following which he worked for Professor Robert Keller in the University of Edinburgh.

Martin distinguished himself in research in the Department of Medicine, and in 1971 was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine for his original work on cardiovascular dynamics during pregnancy. He subsequently collaborated with Professor Forester Cockburn, studying hypertension in sheep in order to understand the causes of high blood pressure during human pregnancy.

Martin progressed rapidly to become one of the most admired clinical obstetricians in the United Kingdom. He served as a distinguished consultant for more than 30 years in the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Edinburgh. Everyone who worked alongside him remembers his calmness, even during

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the most stressful moments.

Dr Lees collaborated very closely with Professor David Baird in the University of Edinburgh, and eventually he led the Infertility Service of the Royal Infirmary.

It was no surprise when he was elected president of the Edinburgh Obstetric Society. Martin Lees had a profound respect for the senior lawyers of the land, and for more than 20 years sat on the Council of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.

Dr Lees was a man of vision. He stimulated the formation of an expert panel, chaired by Ms Lorna Smith, which, after exhaustive consultation, recommended to Lothian Health Board that perinatal services in Edinburgh be centred on one large site, with instant availability of the most up-to-date facilities for mothers and babies.

As a consequence of this, many families have had their lives enhanced by markedly improved clinical care.

Martin Lees was a deeply committed teacher and mentor. Not only did he take a close interest in the welfare of his trainees, he provided a valuable pastoral role to everyone in need, no matter their role in the hospital.

As social convenor of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1998 to 2004, Martin provided a welcome for all Fellows and visitors from around the world. In addition,