Hamish Simpson

Hamish Simpson, a renowned paediatrician whose career spanned several decades at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Edinburgh, left an indelible mark on the field of paediatric medicine. Trained in Edinburgh and the University of California San Francisco, Hamish was not only a consultant but also a professor who shaped the future of paediatrics in profound ways.

Noted for establishing a critical care unit for children in Edinburgh, Hamish went on to be recognised globally as an authority on reactive airways disease in children. His significant contributions extended to researching the causes of cot death, earning him a lifetime achievement award from the British Paediatric Respiratory Society in 2008.

Beyond his clinical and research achievements, Hamish was committed to education and taught medical students and doctors in his own time every Sunday. His pivotal role in developing the section on the examination of the sick child in Macleod's Clinical Examination cemented his influence, guiding many current leaders in respiratory paediatrics.

Hamish's blend of expert knowledge, compassionate care, and dedicated mentorship enriched the lives of patients and colleagues alike, making him a respected figure in both medical and academic communities. He died in 2025.