NHS Forth Valley Consultant Haematologist, Dr Roddy Neilson has been appointed a Queen’s Honorary Physician (QHP) by the Army. He’s believed to be the first haematologist to be appointed to this role. His appointment is in recognition of his work in haematology for the military, along with over 25 years service with the Reserve Forces.

Dr Neilson, who is a Colonel in the Reserve Army Medical Services, was the Commanding Officer of 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital between 2011 and 2014. He is currently the Military/Medical Liaison Officer to the Scottish Government.  He joined the then Territorial Army in the early 1990s when he was a senior registrar in Glasgow.

He said: “Since joining the Reserves I have been on deployed operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq twice and Afghanistan.  My role has been as a physician and haematologist supporting clinical services in the front line hospitals. Our aim is to provide the best medical care possible to deployed personnel and the Reserve Forces provide over 50% of that capability.”

Although his appointment as a Queen’s Honorary Physician is largely ceremonial, Dr Neilson believes it reflects well on his employer, NHS Forth Valley, who have supported his employment in the Reserves over many years.