despott website pic.jpgA Royal Free Hospital (RFH) gastroenterologist has been named in Malta’s annual honours list in recognition of his international endeavours in the field of interventional endoscopy and developments of techniques for facilitation of the endoscopic resection of early tumours.

Consultant Edward John Despott who hails from Malta, was one of only two people appointed to the rank of Officer of the National Order of Merit by President George Vella, during the annual honours list ceremony held at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, Malta. The National Order of Merit of Malta is the republic’s highest form of recognition.

The honours are presented each year to people who “distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour”.
Edward, the clinical lead for the RFH’s endoscopy unit for the past 11 years, developed a technique to facilitate minimally invasive removal of tumours from the digestive tract. The ‘saline-immersion technique’ (SITE) for endoscopic submucosal dissection that he developed is now being adopted worldwide.

He said: “It is a huge honour and pleasure to be recognised by one’s own country of birth. I am very pleased that our efforts, supported by the team throughout the years, have been recognised and now patients across the world are benefitting from the improvements we have been able to develop.” 
RFH chief executive John Connolly said: “Congratulations to Edward for this well-deserved award. He has been integral to the success of the endoscopy department and I’m delighted he has been honoured in this way.”