Our medical advisors

Chief Medical Officer

Dr William T Hamilton, MD, BSc, FRCP, FRCGP

Born in Northern Ireland, Dr Hamilton trained in Bristol, gaining further qualifications in hospital and primary care, with the Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2002 and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians in 2003. He obtained his MD in 2005. Dr Hamilton became Chief Medical Officer at Exeter Friendly Society in 2003, having been an insurance Medical Officer and Chief Medical Officer for 15 years.

With a background as a partner in a GP practice, Dr Hamilton has now ceased clinical work with the expansion of his research and insurance work.

His main research area is diagnosis, which spans the whole spectrum from chronic fatigue syndrome through diabetes, to cancer. The largest area is cancer, with his main interest being to identify ways of reaching an earlier diagnosis of this condition.

Dr Hamilton is also a member of a number of National Committees including:

• Department of Health Policy collaborative on earlier diagnosis of cancer 2004-5
• NICE member of guideline development group for CFS/ME 2005-7

Interesting other facts
Dr Hamilton is also an accomplished sportsman, having won 87 international caps in fencing from 1975-83 and coming 5th in the 1978 Commonwealth Games. He also sails competitively winning the National Devon Yawl Championships in 2000.

Medical advisor

Mr Alexander V Babajews FRCS FDS FFD

Mr Babajews is an Australian who gained his qualifications firstly in Sydney then in London and the Royal Colleges in UK and Ireland.

Mr Babajews is currently a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust. His surgical interests are in salivary gland surgery, orofacial malignancy, orthognathic surgery and facial trauma.

He has been an examiner of the Royal College of Surgeons in London and has been the Secretary of the Oral Surgery Club of Great Britain. He has been a past member of the Council of British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

In his career he has been the lead clinician of Exeter and North Devon Maxillofacial Unit between 1989 and 2001.

Mr Babajews became an advisor to the Exeter Friendly Society in 2000.

Medical advisor

Dr Duncan H McFadyen M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.G.P.

Born in Scotland and a graduate of Glasgow University, Dr McFadyen proceeded to gain further qualifications in hospital medicine and primary care. Dr McFadyen has been a trainer in general practice since 1985; is the medical examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority; Partner in General Practice at Mount Pleasant Health Centre, Exeter; and Medical adviser with Exeter Friendly Society since 2006. Married with three children, Dr McFadyen is President of Exeter Southernhay Rotary Club and in his spare time enjoys sailing, golfing, gardening and DIY.