Michael Anthony Heasman

Former director Scottish NHS Information Services Division, 1965-86 (b 1926; q St Mary's 1947; FRCPE, FPHM), died from heart failure on 7 March 2000. Mike developed his knowledge of statistics while in the Royal Air Force and, after five years at the General Register Office, he established a medical statistics branch at the Department of Health. An invitation in 1965 to inaugurate a research and intelligence unit at the Scottish Home and Health Department started his affection for Scotland. His unit pioneered advances to ensure that data were accurate and accessible. From analysis of population data a formula for allocating funds to health boards was devised. Mike published papers on vital statistics and epidemiology and took part in the study of the fluoridation of water and the incidence of childhood leukaemias. He represented the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on the Faculty of Public Health Medicine and the faculty on the college council. In retirement he studied the philosophy of science, birds, and wild flowers. He continued …