Oxford surgeon Grant Bates died peacefully with his family at his bedside at Sobell House Hospice in Oxford on September 18 after a short battle with cancer. He was 58.

Born in Tasmania, Mr Bates did his undergraduate training at Merton College, Oxford, and the London Hospital.

After postgraduate training in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery, he spent time as a research fellow in San Francisco and Brisbane, spending two years as a consultant in Australia before returning to Oxford in 1992.

Here he threw himself into teaching undergraduates and postgraduates with his normal ‘high energy’ approach.

Their training often included fitness sessions at the gym.

He became one of the pioneers of minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of certain conditions of the oesophagus as well as an expert in diseases of the nose (rhinology).

He also became chairman of the medical staff committee at the Radcliffe Infirmary and John Radcliffe Hospital.

Between 2002-2005 he took on the role of honorary secretary of the national ENT society.

During this time he helped ‘defuse’ the political timebomb of disposable tonsillectomy instruments that were introduced for a short period, supposedly to avoid the tiny risks of contracting CJD disease, but associated with a sharp increase in the risk of postoperative bleeding. He helped to reverse the policy.

He was an accomplished sub-aqua diving instructor and had a lifelong interest in underwater photography.

Later in life he participated in the London marathon, the Engadin cross country ski marathon, triathlons, windsurfing, real tennis and sailing.

He was a lifelong environmentalist and became a Trustee of the Shark Trust in 2005, giving talks and taking part in awareness events.

He leaves wife Sue, and children Rebecca and James.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and patients.