User:Kwib/W. D. Doherty

Military

F. R. K. writes: In 1914 " George" Doherty interrupted his career at Cambridge to volunteer for active service. He went to France with the R.A.S.C. and became a captain. Then, owing to the shortage of doctors, he was brought back to resume his medical studies.

Medical career

Doherty took the M.A. and the F.R.C.S. in 1923, and the M.Ch. in 1925. His early appointments included that of house-surgeon to Sir Alfred Fripp, and later that of demonstrator in the anatomy department. He was surgical registrar and tutor to Guy's Hospital from 1923 to 1931, when he was appointed assistant surgeon. In 1936 he was appointed genitourinary surgeon to the hospital in succession to Mr. A. R. Thompson, and in 1948 he received the additional appointment of superintendent to the hospital, a post he held up to his retirement in 1958. He was a governor of Guy's Hospital, of Guy's Hospital Medical School, and of Alleyn's College of God's Gift. It would appear that George's athletic prowess endowed him with the tremendous mental stamina and balanced judgement which stood out in his clinical and subsequent administrative work. In the face of severe competition of the postwar years he became assistant house-surgeon to "Joey" Hughes, and house-surgeon to Sir Alfred Fripp. Afterwards he was anatomy demonstrator before becoming surgical registrar in 1923. These many years as registrar were very formative in evolving "The George," as we knew him. He developed into a fine clinical teacher, stressing essential points in the patient's story and physical signs. His friendliness endeared him to all-students, nursing staff, and patients. As a result his advice on matters both medical and non-medical was often sought. In 1931 George became assistant surgeon, but he was soon to abandon general surgery. In 1916 the governors, with tremendous foresight, had established a genito-urinary department at Guy's, with Mr. A. R. Thompson in charge. In 1936, on Mr. Thompson's retirement, the governors happily invited George to take over. Soon, with the cooperation of his colleagues, he established himself in "Patience" and " Samaritan " wards. George's efforts soon established a flourishing urology department, which continued until the second world war, when all in-patient work was transferred to Orpington Hospital. Here he operated on two days a week, and on Friday nights he slept at Guy's and took his share of the surgical emergencies. When George became superintendent he restricted his clinical work to the precincts of Guy's. In spite of the many demands on his time he remained scrupulous in his care of patients, and set a high standard for his juniors. *His rounds, not necessarily confined to urology, covered many aspects of general surgery, to the surprise of many of his dressers. His teaching was reminiscent of Joey Hughes. George's many registrars were always grateful for the operative surgery he taught them. It was his custom to be the first assistant, guiding the trainee through the steps of the operation. In his operatingtheatre he always managed to have a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. As he became more senior he kept himself up to date: for example, he took up retropubic prostatectomy soon after Millin introduced the operation. Every nurse who has held a position of responsibility at Guy's must at some time have felt the benefit of George's influence. Everyone knew that here was a sympathetic friend who could appreciate their problems and put them in the right perspective. He tlways seemed to have time to listen to one's problems, and, as often as not, had a ready solution. From early on his judgement, balance, and shrewdness were outstanding. When necessary he could be firm, but always controlled his feelings. He had been secretary to the medical committee and sub-dean during the difficult years of the second world war, so that in 1948 he was the obvious successor to Professor T. B. Johnston. Mr. Doherty, the superintendent, was immediately deeply involved in the repair of the badly damaged hospital; some of the bombed wards in Guy's House had to be salvaged, and departments such as radiotherapy and radiology required expansion and re-equipment. In addition, the future of the post-war hospital had to be planned. Mr. Doherty's final appointment at Guy's was that of a governor in 1961. In this capacity he served on many subcommittees, and was chairman of the Nursing and Nurses' Education Committee, where his wise counsel was invaluable. George was actively associated with Guy's for 49 years. His genial personality and friendliness will be sadly missed. To his wife and children we extend our deepest sympathy.

With the advent of the war he volunteered for active service and went to France in the R.A.S.C., but he was recalled later to resume his medical studies. He entered Guy's Medical School in 1919 and qualified three years later. He captained the hospital rugger side for three years at a time when it was probably the best club in the country. This was in no small part due to Doherty, who was an inspiring leader. He was capped for Ireland seven times and was captain in 1921. In one season he captained Ireland, United Hospitals, Surrey and Guy's.

Doherty was assistant house surgeon to Mr. E. C. Hughes and house surgeon to Sir Alfred Fripp. After a period as demonstrator of anatomy he became surgical registrar in 1923, passing the final F.R.C.S. in the same year and the Cambridge M.Ch. in 1925. He had to wait until 1931 before

there was a vacancy on the staff, when he was appointed as an assistant general surgeon. In 1936 he was invited to take over the Genito-Urinary department following the retirement of Mr. A. R. Thompson, the first urologist at Guy's. Doherty developed the specialty, building up a large flourishing department with the co-operation of his colleagues. He was also very successful in private practice and he enjoyed this aspect of his work because of the close personal contact with his patients. During the second World War he slept in the hospital one or two nights a week organizing the emergency work caused by the air raids. During this time he was sub-dean to the Medical School and also assisted in some of the general surgical teaching. In 1948 George (no-one seems to know how he gained this name) accepted the onerous task of Medical Superintendent. He confined his clinical work to Guy's and was assisted by Mr. F. R. Kilpatrick, who was appointed to the staff in the same year. They worked in closest harmony for the next 10 years.

George was a wise and thoughtful surgeon, his judgement was shrewd and his operations quick and sound. He took pains to keep ahead with new developments. As a teacher he was clear and straightforward and his teaching rounds were lively and humorous, popular and practical. Generations of registrars must be grateful to him for his patient and unobtrusive assistance at operations, for he more often worked as first assistant to his registrars. Although he was a distinguished athlete and surgeon, George will be remembered best at Guy's as a successful Superintendent. His shrewdness, kindness and integrity made him ideally suited for this work. Sir John Conybeare, one of his closest friends, wrote of him in 1958: " Few will ever know how great a debt Guy's owes to George Doherty for the skill with which he guided the hospital through the formative years of the National Health Service." He was, too, greatly responsible for the successful planning of the New Surgical block at Guy's, which was completed soon after his retirement. Although his committee work was onerous he rarely missed any of his clinical work which was his primary interest. George Doherty received devoted service from all who worked with him, whether doctors, nurses or lay staff. No man could have had more friends and he was a genial, charming and social person.