BJJ News | I ssue 7 | J une 2015
Robert wrote chapters and articles in various textbooks on orthopaedics and hand surgery, as well as a number of original papers in major journals. He was a corresponding member of the ‘Groupe d’etude de la main’ and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. In 2001 he was nominated as a Pioneer of Hand Surgery by the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Regionally and locally, Robert’s contribution was immense. He served on the South West Regional and Area health authorities, the Medical Advisor y Committees of Or thopaedics and Plastic surgery, and was a member of the Bristol University Liaison Committee. Robert was the senior consultant in Orthopaedics and Trauma in Cornwall for many years, and was an excellent teacher and trainer as well as supporting his younger consultant colleagues. He arranged for the Exeter Senior Registrar Training Rotation to include a year in Truro. This was a much-valued period for trainees near the end of the rotation to obtain extra practical experience and confidence prior to seeking a consultant post. Robert stimulated interest by arranging visits to Truro of prominent clinicians and groups. Kit Wynn Parry made regular visits for some years to assist with particularly difficult hand cases. Later, Robert was able to persuade the hospital trust to fund the post of a Consultant in Rehabilitation. We had visits by the ABC Fellows, a meeting of the BSSH, and members of the Royal Ballet for a South West Orthopaedic Club meeting, all arranged by Robert. He also established a system of superspecialisation in Cornwall well before many other centres. He was on the founding committee to raise public funds for the Duchy Hospital, Cornwall’s only private hospital, which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1981, andwas later Chairman of the Hospital Council. In 1990 the hospital was sold, allowing capital to be put into the Duchy Health Charity, which Robert helped to set up. Robert retired from his NHS post in 1988, but continued for a while working on waiting list
initiative work. He also remained busy with his private practice, and for years had been much in demand for medico-legal work, which he continued well into his eighties. He was a regular attendee at BSSH meetings, and supported the BOA as a Senior Fellow and the South West Orthopaedic Club. He was an active Trustee of the Duchy Health Charity and served as President for several years until 2014. He was organiser and fundraiser for the Norman Capener Travelling Fellowship (RCS Eng). He was elected Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Barbers, and usually stayed at the Athenaeum Club when visiting London. Robert met Shirley at PEOH, Exeter, where she was working as a physiotherapist, and they married in 1953. Robbie somehow found time for a number of interests outside surgery. He was both very keen and knowledgeable about his beautiful garden, which was occasionally open to the public. He was a long-time member of the Cornish Gardens Society, the Georgian Group and the Trevithick Society. He enjoyed following rugby and particularly cricket, and was a member of the MCC. He enjoyed fishing for salmon in the Tamar and from his old working boat in the local coastal waters. He was a very keen follower of the arts, culture and fine dining, and regularly attended the ballet at Covent Garden with Shirley. More locally, he was a Patron of the Tate St Ives. Holidays in France and Italy enabled visits to galleries and historic sites. Another interest was folk music and Morris dancing, and Robert helped to found three separate Morris Rings in Cambridge, Exeter and Cornwall. He was also a member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Robert lived a long and full life, achieving so much, but giving so much as well. His scholarly and amusing speeches will be much missed by us all, as will his caring attitude and interest in his protégés. He is survived by Shirley, his four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A uthor
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Peter Peace Formerly Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro pkpeace3@gmail.com
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