People

Dr Damien Downing M.B., B.S., Lic.Ac. Qualified at Guy's Hospital, London in 1972, and worked in hospitals and general practice in London, Leeds and York. He spent three years in the Solomon Islands as Medical Officer of Health for the capital, with responsibility for Mental Health Services and the Village Aid Project. On his return to the UK in 1980 he established a private practice, focusing on nutritional and alternative therapies. Since 1980 his work has established him as a leading figure in nutritional medicine in the UK. He has undertaken pioneering work in the treatment of allergy, the linking of behavoural disorders with nutrition, light therapy and the treatment of M.E./C.F.S. In 1984 he co-founded the British Society of Nutritional Medicine, and he is currently the president of its successor, the British Society for Allergy Environmental And Nutritional Medicine. Since 1989 he has been editor of the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. He is a member of the Expert Committee of the Alliance for Natural Health, and medical advisor to a number of charities and patient support groups. He currently lives in London.   Publications: Daylight Robbery - The Importance of Sunlight to Health (Arrow Books 1998) Why M.E.? with Dr Belinda Dawes (Grafton Books 1989) Soleil Vital (Editions Jouvence 2002) -the update of Daylight Robbery, so far in French only.

Dr Meldrum qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1958, and for six years gained wide experience in NHS hospital work in the UK and then for a further twelve years worked variously in anaesthetics (Norway), general practice (Norway and Scotland) and Primary Health Care (Ethiopia, Nepal and S. Sudan).

He has long been oriented towards preventative medicine, but a more specific interest in nutrition begain in 1979 when, as a Save the Children Fund Medical Officer in Nepal, he was in charge of a project which included a community-based malnutrition unit.

He is on the BSAENM committee (as is Dr. Downing) and is also a committee member of the McCarrison Society for Nutrition andf Health, Scottish Group, and is a member of the Norwegian Society for Holistic Medicine.

He lives in Edinburgh and joined Nutrition Associates in 1989 to take over the Edinburgh clinics, though he travels down to York once a month.

Jim has been with Dr Downing since February 1991 and Office Manager since January 1996. A Scot who has settled in York very quickly and easily, he says he has become an adopted Yorkshireman. Previously worked with Volvo, in Scotland, for 16 years as Inventory Controller.

He enjoys the contact with old and new patients alike and is exceptionally popular with our patients with whom he has made some very good friendships.

"All our staff are here to help our patients in any way we can, we care for them and we put them first at every opportunity" he says. He claims to rule the office with an iron fist but the girls say he always does what they tell him and that he makes a wonderful cup of tea!!

Dee retired in August 2004; she still works part-time for Dr Downing on matters to do with the British Society for Allergy Environmental And Nutritional Medicine.

Debbie joined the company in 1993 and has been in charge of the accounts and orders department ever since. Last year she decided to reduce her working week so she now shares her duties. Married with 2 daughters, she lives just outside York. Loves nothing better than being on the ski slopes, and the apres ski activities. An invaluable member of staff who is popular with everyone.

Shirley, our secretary, has been with us since 1999. She is maybe the hardest working member of staff, due to the many letters we send to patients and doctors. She has a lovely nature and has a wicked sense of humour. She is a big fan of Daniel O'Donnell which proves, Jim says, that she's tone deaf!

Sharon joined us in October 2001. A Cheshire Lass, she lives just outside York, having moved here from her native Warrington. Shares Debbie's duties in the accounts and order departments.

Sharon is a huge Liverpool fan and enjoys eating out and the "odd refreshment". She has become one of the family very quickly.