Elizabeth Fish

A Lincoln medical expert has been appointed to a national health watchdog in Dubai.

Dr John Robertshaw (57) from Bridge McFarland solicitors was asked to join the Dubai Health Care regulators.

He was picked due to his past as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, four years of which was spent at the state hospital in Qatar.

Robertshaw joined Bridge McFarland in 2009 as medical expert for its personal injury and medical negligence cases.

He will join the new Fitness to Practice Committee of the regulator board on a part-time basis, working from the UK. He will continue his role at Bridge McFarland.

The committee is involved in assessing individual health care professionals, hospitals and private clinics, referred to them because of concerns regarding safety or competence.

The organisation can then impose working restrictions such as “striking off” an individual or even closing down a clinic or hospital.

He said: “I’m very honoured and excited to be part of this new organisation.

“I believe passionately in ensuring the quality of care patients receive is of the highest standard and to be involved in helping a whole country ensure it meets those standards is very worthwhile.”

Ian Sprakes, partner and head of the medical negligence at Bridge McFarland added: “We are absolutely delighted that John’s expertise continues to be recognised internationally.

“John’s medical experience and knowledge is a hugely important part of the excellent service we offer clients who have been the victim of medical negligence.”

Two students from a Lincoln school were chosen out of thousand across the UK to feature on BBC’s The One Show.

The special edition live show allowed William Farr School pupils Andy Tallon and Gaia Pitt-Judd to interview Winter Olympic Gold Medallist Lizzie Yarnold as part of a 20 minute slot on the show called BBC News School Report edition.

The BBC News School Report featuring the two pupils can be seen on the BBC website now.

They travelled to London with head teacher Andy Stones to take part in the programme, where they interviewed Lizzie then did a special report on the popularity of the quiff hairdo.

Overall, 30 William Farr pupils took part in the BBC News Report day, working on their reports since January by gathering information from various sources.

Two pupils also took part in a broadcast on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, with daytime presenter Nicola Gilroy.

As part of the event, Elaine Blackbourn, the staff member running the project, had to inform the BBC of the pupils’ stories.

The BBC were intrigued by Andy and Gaia’s quiff story, so they sent a producer from BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live programme to record a piece with them.

The piece was so well received, the pupils were then invited to The One Show to do the report again.

Mr Stones took part in a ‘Quiff-off’ with Lizzie on the show, with the prize being presented by BBC News reader Huw Edwards.

Mr Stones said: “The whole day was great fun but a really important learning experience for our two very talented pupils, as well as all those who took part in events across the day.

“I’m really proud of how professional Andy and Gaia were live on air and the opportunity to meet a Gold medal winner was well worth the embarrassment of wearing a quiffed wig in front of the whole nation.”

Andy Tallon said: “The whole day was a fantastic experience, we learnt a lot and had a lot of fun, and it we are really proud of our head teacher being such a good sport.”