Gurmit Singh Sokhi
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7433.232-b (Published 22 January 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:232Data supplement
- Gurmit Singh Sokhi
Consultant in general surgery Solihull, Heartlands, and Solihull Parkway hospitals, Birmingham, and honorary senior lecturer in surgery University of Birmingham (b Lohar Partapara, Punjab, India, 1934; q University of Glasgow 1962; FRCS Ed 1967), died from heart failure and obstruction of the small intestine on 17 June 2003.After qualifying in medicine, all his postgraduate training took place in Glasgow (Royal Infirmary). There he became interested both in the techniques of gastrointestinal endoscopy and in vascular surgery, moving to Birmingham in 1975, where he took up his first consultant post. Through his considerable expertise and kind "bedside manner," he attracted many young doctors to attachments, and also regularly enjoyed teaching undergraduate medical and dental students.
Research was his passion, and in his Glasgow days under the respected supervision of Professor Blumgart he carried out liver profusion experiments in pigs, designed to assess the feasibility of using extracorporeal porcine liver in the treatment of patients with liver failure. His main research interests became (1) the problems of biliary surgery and jaundice, and (2) the diagnosis and management of gastro-intestinal malignancy, and he ran the colorectal clinic at Solihull hospital.
He was a modest man and a proud Sikh, taking an active part in the affairs of the Sikh temples in Birmingham and serving on the executive committees of various Indian medical associations. He was a powerful role model with an authoritative presence like no other, a true intellectual and a great storyteller with an eccentric sense of humour. He first fell seriously ill in 1983 when a viral infection affected his heart, but he pulled through (albeit with lasting effects) "only for the sake of my wife and children," he used to say. He bore his final illness with great courage and dignity, remaining a doting husband, son, and father to the end. He passed away in Solihull hospital, to which he dedicated most of his professional life. He is sorely missed by his family, his colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing or knowing of him. A memorial service was held on 14 November 2003 by the Solihull and Birmingham Heartlands NHS Trust. He leaves a wife, Harjit, and three children. [Rabinder Sokhi]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a