BAPM was saddened to learn of the death of Dr David Lloyd, a former Treasurer and Honorary Member of BAPM. The obituary below is the collective work of a few of his colleagues.

David Lloyd (DJL) leaves a legacy of clinical excellence of the highest order in neonatal and perinatal care in Aberdeen, such was his commitment to every aspect of care for babies in the neonatal unit. His unflinching standards were applied to himself first and foremost, and to the rest of the team thereafter. Practising and espousing such standards could be challenging for those working with him but all recognised that his style of clinical leadership had a single aim, namely giving every baby under his care the best possible outcome.

DJL, as he is still remembered in Aberdeen Neonatal Unit, was one of the first perinatologists when fetal medicine was itself in a fetal stage. Long before 4D photos of in utero babies were even possible, DJL just understood embryos and babies: he could look at any baby and the relevant numbers (growth chart, observation chart, maternal parameters), and formulate amazingly precise diagnostic and management plans. Obstetric colleagues remember many a conversation in his office and consistently good advice, including advice on obstetric management in true peri-natal minded fashion.

He was a honorary member of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, and a former Treasurer. Paediatric surgical colleagues had the utmost respect for his clinical skills and acumen. Paediatric surgeons and neonatologists in Aberdeen worked as one as early as the 1980s, in a collaborative fashion that few other units in the country seem to be able to do. The creation of fiefdoms was never an issue and neonates got consultant based care at every turn – this is evident in the good results that Aberdeen had (and continues to have) with regards neonatal surgery.

His pioneering spirit was evident in many more ways. In 2004 he interviewed a neonatal colleague via international telephone call, twenty years before a global pandemic normalised virtual remote meetings in the medical workforce. His fastidious attention to detail resulted in an embedded culture of the highest level of hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness within the Aberdeen Neonatal Unit, long before “infection control” existed. Until he retired, babies who were discharged from the neonatal unit continued to be followed up until the age of seven – demonstrating his commitment to long term outcomes and benchmarking of practice. 

DJL was a reference point for many neonatal families who remember him fondly: his clinical care, his straight-to-the-point approach, his walking along the corridors, but also the fact that he did not suffer fools lightly. A colleague who found themselves in the family seat when their son was born in 1980 remembers: “our son developed unilateral seizures within 24 hours of his birth and was taken to the "old" neonatal unit in AMH. We had first-hand experience of David’s care, his attention to detail, his explanations and support. After control of the seizures our son was one of the smallest babies to go through the CT scanner in ARI which showed an intracranial bleed. We had a joint consultation with David and the neurosurgeon, and David's consistent presence in the unit gave us confidence as our son settled. 46 years later we have a healthy adult son, and continue to be grateful for David’s care.”

DJL’s indefatigable response to every clinical situation and the maintenance of the highest possible quality of care to the neonates under his care could not be surpassed. His empathetic attitudes to mothers and families was fantastic, and it dominated and counteracted the somewhat strict values and evidence based approach he requested of his colleagues, medical, nursing and midwifery. He saw these as necessary to run "a tight ship" and which in turn created a tight and loyal team around him. This is David Lloyd’s true legacy, a legacy that was not only a matter of pride for himself, but also for those who worked with him.

David's funeral will be on Wednesday 8 July at 1.30pm, at the Warriston Crematorium in Edinburgh. The service will be live streamed. You can contact the BAPM office for streaming details.