Expert Spotlight

Dr Chris Eades – Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Medical Mycology

Dr Chris Eades is a Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology with specialist expertise in the care of immunocompromised patients, including those living with HIV and individuals affected by complex fungal infections. Trained at Imperial College London and across major UK centres, he combines bedside clinical expertise with deep laboratory knowledge, bridging the gap between patient care and diagnostic science. Alongside his clinical work, Chris also serves as an expert witness, providing meticulously reasoned medico-legal opinions that help inform the courts and improve patient care.

A Clinician Driven by Science and Patient Care

Chris’ interest in science was sparked early, growing up just outside London and working in a local pharmacy from the age of 13 showed him how thoughtful, compassionate care could change someone’s day, and sometimes life.

“That experience set me on the path to medicine.”

After studying at Imperial College, London and completing core medical training in Kent and Surrey, Chris joined the pan-London training programme in Infectious Diseases (ID) and Medical Microbiology (MM). His training included HIV medicine, complex infections in liver and bone marrow transplant recipients, and a research fellowship in medical mycology at the National Aspergillosis Centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris completed a PhD investigating antibiotic use in haematology, strengthening his interest in antimicrobial stewardship and optimising care for immunocompromised patients.

“I was drawn to ID as the new Combined Infection Training programmes launched in 2015, offering true “bench to bedside” training. I wanted to be both a confident and competent ID physician at the bedside and a specialist who understands the science and systems in the microbiology laboratory. In an era of emerging infections, pandemics and rising antimicrobial resistance, Infectious Diseases is a constantly evolving field – and I enjoy helping patients, colleagues and organisations navigate that complexity safely and effectively.”

Defining Moments in Clinical Practice

One early career experience involved a young person, newly diagnosed with advanced HIV. Critically unwell, the patient required prolonged hospital care and multi-speciality input to manage a series of infectious and non-infective complications.

“Months later, they walked out of hospital and were soon able to return to work and to the life they had feared was lost. That journey – from critical illness to recovery – captured for me what this speciality can offer. It is not only about investigating and treating complex infections, but also helping someone adjust to a life-changing diagnosis, commit to lifelong treatment and regain confidence for a healthier future.”

Rewarding Work in Infectious Diseases

Chris finds this speciality deeply rewarding due to its combination of impact, variety, and detective work. At a patient’s bedside, rapid diagnoses can transform outcomes within hours. In the lab, decisions influence hundreds of patients indirectly, guiding antimicrobial use and optimising care, giving the speciality a more global and robust focus beyond that of the individual patient.

“I also value the broader public health element. Whether it is tackling outbreaks, managing resistant organisms or optimising vaccines, you feel part of something bigger than individual cases. It is a field that never stands still, and that constant challenge –  from new pathogens to evolving resistance – keeps the work intellectually stimulating and, ultimately, very satisfying.”

From Clinical Practice to Expert Witness Work

Chris has always had an interest in the law and may well have pursued a career as a barrister if he hadn’t been accepted to medical school. Through this interest, Chris was introduced to Richard Williams-Lees, which established his pathway into medico-legal work. His clinical expertise, particularly in diagnostic reasoning, microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship, and the care of immunocompromised patients, allows him to assess complex cases with clarity and precision. His comprehensive clinical training means he can report on a wide range of infections, including postoperative, trauma, travel-related, bloodstream, and fungal infections, producing reports that are robust, well-supported and useful to courts and legal teams alike.

Influencing Clinical Practice and Legal Understanding

Since joining McCollum Consultants, Chris’ documentation has sharpened, making clinical reasoning and safety-netting explicit.

“My work has also reinforced just how variable “reasonable practice” can be. Reading multiple experts’ views on the same set of records is a good antidote to hindsight bias. In my own clinical work, I’m now more conscious of what is genuinely outside an acceptable range, versus where colleagues have simply made a different, defensible judgment call.”

Instructing Solicitors

Chris also notes that while the majority of instructions received are excellent, clarity from the instructing party is invaluable. Infection cases are often complex, requiring detailed commentary on breach and causation. Clear, plain-language instructions, for example, specifying questions such as “What is the most likely source of this infection?”, “Were the antimicrobials and timings in line with reasonable practice at the time?”, or “On the balance of probabilities, would earlier intervention have avoided X outcome?” – allow him to structure reports precisely around the issues under consideration.

A Credible Expert Witness

Chris believes that a strong, credible expert witness should remain in active clinical practice, ensuring their knowledge stays current and their opinions authoritative. This is particularly important in cases that proceed to trial, where experts may be rigorously cross-examined on the details of their evidence. For each case, he emphasises the importance of knowing both the relevant literature and the specific questions under consideration “inside out and back to front,” often revisiting bundles and reports prepared many months or even years earlier. Even with the slow passage of claims, a meticulous grasp of the case is essential.

Life Outside Medicine

Outside work, Chris enjoys cooking, cinema, and spending time with a supportive partner. They strive to maintain balance despite the demands of clinical and medico-legal responsibilities.

A Commitment to Justice and Patient Care

Chris is dedicated to producing clear, well-reasoned opinions that assist legal practitioners and courts in achieving just outcomes.

“Where individuals have been harmed by preventable lapses in care, it is right they should be compensated. I hope my work also contributes to learning and improving patient care in the future.”

Areas of Expertise:

• Infectious Diseases
  
  
• Medical Microbiology
  
  
• HIV Medicine
  
  
• Fungal Infections, including chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
  
  
• Care of Immunocompromised Patients
  
  
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
  
  
• Complex Infections in Transplant Recipients
  
  

e: info@exp.com
t: +44 (0)161 218 0223