EDITORIAL

The theme of this newsletter is, unashamedly, our POSTGRADUATE CENTRE, which was built largely out of funds provided by the medical community, and officially opened in 1971 – perhaps another cause for celebration in 3 years time.

Since the original building there has been one extension but, as we all know, we now undoubtedly need more room. In this, our centenary year, I ask you all to support the

Society in it's desire to create a building fit for the 21 st century. Shortly, the society will be starting the appeal to raise funds for a further extension to the centre. I feel that the time is right for this, and that it is appropriate in the centenary year to start such a project. I ask you to give the society all possible help in this venture.

Graeme Wilcox

POSTGRAD CENTRE APPEAL LAUNCHED

The former postgraduate tutor, Mr. Walford Gillison who has retained the position of chairman of the appeals committee, is about to launch the appeal for extensions to the postgraduate centre. Initially, members of the society wiN be contacted with a request for covenants. Subject to sufficient support from the profession, donations will then be requested from industry, drug firms etc. It is hoped that the appeal will be well on its way by the end of the centenary year.

£25,000 POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL CENTRE APPEAL

Rarely has a public appeal met with such immediate response as that last year of local doctors for £25,000 with which to build a Postgraduate Medical centre as part of the hospital scheme at Blakebrook.

Within a matter of weeks, the bulk of the money was raised as a result of the Regional Hospital Board and donations from the medical profession, industry, grateful patients and a general public. The centre is designed to enable doctors to keep abreast with the continuous developments in medicine. Sited within the new hospital, the 3000 square foot building will be a centre for lectures, tutorials for junior hospital staff and refresher courses. n will be available to the resident hospital staff and visiting practitioners. A reference library will contain standard works and specialized literature.

The aim, in short, is to bring the entire medics/ community into the closest possible contact with the exchange of information and opinions. When this "university on the doorstep" is completed it will be one of the 200 similar centres throughout the country which are completed or well on the way to completion. This fact emphasises the importance of post graduate education especially when it comes to the recruitment and retention of medical staff of the highest calibre.

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NEW G.P. TUTOR APPOINTED

Following Dr. Baron Mendez Da Costa's promotion to regional status, his successor to the post of G.P. Postgraduate Tutor is Dr. David Starkie. Born in Accrington, Lancashire in 1961. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn . Trained at Nottingham University , B.Med.Sci. 1983, Research year in Physiology Department and with MRC Muscle Studies Unit. Graduated BM. BS. 1985. MRCGP 1989. Arranged his own vocational training in Dudley and central Birmingham , coming to Kidderminster for trainee year. Pursued interest in Rheumatology as an SHO at Highfield Hospital before joining Richard Davies and Lynne Butcher in partnership in 1990. Continues to practice rheumatology as a clinical assistant at Worcester . , Like many of us, tries to do too much, with interests in medical education, audit, physical disability and sports medicine. Out of medicine, is a member of Kidderminster Round Table and active in many sports. (Starkie is a Lancastrian name uncommon outside the county although common amongst the doctors of Kidderminster .)

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OBITUARY
Dr. Patricia Campion

Pat Campion trained at the Royal Free Hospital , qualified in 1954 and came with her husband to Kidderminster in 1958. Having completed house jobs and, having gained

some experience in general practice, Pat developed her expertise in general practice in Kidderminster and also worked as a clinical assistant in the surgical recovery unit (1961 - 66). From 1966 onwards, she mainly worked in geriatric medicine, initially as a clinical assistant, then progressing to medical assistant and associate specialist.

When I carne in 1973, Pat was able to increase her sessions and played a major role in starting the rehabilitation ward and the day hospital at Mill Street Hospital . She maintained the highest standards of care until her retirement in 1991. In 1980, Pat helped found the Wyre Forest stroke Club and was the medical officer from 1980 - 1991. She was also medical officer to the local store of Marks and Spencer for 23 years and a trustee of the Clare Witnell Charity for 20 years.

Apart from her medical work we will I remember her for her social activities both officially as social secretary to the medical Staff Committee and also as a warm and gracious hostess in her own home. She and Geoffrey had everything to look forward to, and it was therefore particularly cruel that this fulfilment was denied them by her illness. Her sense of family values, so well known by her friends, was reinforced by the support and strength she gained from Geoff, Tim and all the members of her family. Until the end of her life she retained her humour, her extreme clarity of thought and her great fortitude.

Bill Parker

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RETIRING MEMBER

Geoff Campion is well known for his long period as secretary of the society. Geoff trained at Cambridge and the London Hospital , qualifying in 1952. This was followed by two years in the Royal Navy as Surgeon Lieutenant in South Africa , Northern Ireland and Iceland . Geoff came to Kidderminster in 1958 when he joined Drs. Beattie, Wadsworth and Russell in Church Street and saw the practice grow to its present size over a period of 30 years. Apart from his work in the practice, Geoff was, in his early days, Clinical Assistant in general medicine at Mill Street , at which time there were two very part time visiting physicians. He later became Assistant in the Obstetrics Department. Geoff was also the hospital staff medical officer throughout most of his career. Geoff became very involved in the society as the Secretary from 1959 to 1971 and was a founder member of the post graduate centre appeals committee. He was also the initial GP member of the first District Management Team. We wish him a long and happy retirement and hope that he will continue to support the society and the Post Graduate Centre in the future.

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LETTER FROM STOURPORT

An extract from the handwritten reports of the Medical Officer of Health for Lower Mitton, Stourport-on- Severn to the local board of health taken from a book covering the period January 1883 to September 1890. This extract is taken from the monthly report, July 1883.

"I have received a memorandum from the local government board relative to the precautions to be taken to avert the danger of an invasion of Asiatic Cholera and suggesting that I should report to you on the subject. Now, although bad hygienic conditions predispose those subject to them to more readily receive all forms of disease, I believe it may be accepted as proved that few can be generated de novo by them, and especially that they can no more produce cholera than they can enteric fever. There must be a distinct infection from without in both cases therefore, although we should not relax in any way in our efforts to make Stourport cleaner & healthier, I cannot advise you to adopt and special precautions to meet a danger still remote. If the disease should unhappily appear here it would certainly not be from any causes within the district but probably through the agency of the floating population of the Severn & the canals. Should any cases occur in Bristol or in any other towns touched by either waterway, I would suggest the careful inspection of all vessels passing through the district and that people should be warned of the great danger, under the circumstances of using the water from the canals for any purpose.

I had abundant opportunities during the year 1868 for ascertaining beyond all doubt that cholera is not contagious. Of the many cases I saw, none led to the infection of the friends or nurses when the precautions were taken as in cases of enteric fever, and I felt no hesitation in passing many hours of the day and night in attending those suffering from the disease in its most terrible form".

York House, July 1883.

G.F. Masterman M.D.

This extract has been submitted by Dr. Joss Williams, from a book he bought in a second hand bookshop in Stourport

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