The Hearts + Balls Board is taking on a decidedly MI6 look these days with the appointment of Professor James Ferguson to the ranks!
He may have recently retired as a Consultant Surgeon in Emergency Medicine with NHS Grampian, Reader in Emergency Medicine at University of Aberdeen and Professor of Remote Medicine at the Robert Gordon University, but adds, “Though technically retired, I’m back in an honorary medical role and I’m on a number of Boards, so expecting to be busier than I’ve ever been.
“I really didn’t know much about The Hearts and Balls Charitable Trust. I was recommended for the role by Dr Karen Barclay [Scottish Rugby’s Welfare Manager], who I’ve worked with delivering Scottish Rugby’s SCRUMCAPS pitch side medicine course for 15 years and she has been advising the Trust with their successful defibrillator campaign.”
“In the late 1990s, I was involved in the Press & Journal‘s campaign raising funds to purchase defibs for public spaces, such as bowling clubs around Aberdeen, which were successful in saving lives,” he adds.
As such, James is looking forward to joining the Board to support fundraising amongst all other aspects of the charity’s work.
His personal relationship with the oval ball – he was a stand-off in his playing days in Aberdeen – ended in his late 30s with a head knock which led to James suffering a series of fits. “Happily, that’s all resolved now,” he confirms.
Whilst anticipating his role on the Board will centre on providing expert medical advice, his pioneering role in telemedicine at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – leading to his appointment as Clinical Lead for Telehealth and Telecare for Scotland – may also figure. It certainly came into play – as alluded to in the intro – with saving James Bond‘s life!
A self-confessed 007 fan, in 2004, with the rapid expansion of communications technology in general and usage for delivery of healthcare remotely, he wondered if EON productions would be interested in using telehealth in the then upcoming return of James Bond.
“We sent a scenario to EON where Bond is poisoned, diagnosed remotely, defibrillates himself and survives.”
On going to see Casino Royale in 2006, that very scene played out before ‘our’ James’ eyes as ‘the other’ James imbibes a poisoned drink, then rushes out to his car to use his phone and laptop to seek help from MI6 in London. The experts at MI6 remotely diagnose his condition, advising defibrillation.
“We were delighted our work had been included! However, on set, the director changed our scenario to Bond flatlining, rather than fibrillating, for dramatic effect. So, in reality, defibrillation would have had no effect and left every health professional, who watched the movie, cringing! We fed this back and have acted as medical advisors to EON productions since then. So, you could say that I was James Bond’s doctor!”
Watch out for the Hearts + Balls Board requesting their martinis to be shaken not stirred at social events in the future!
