Niall Cox
BMJ 2002; 324 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7348.1280/b (Published 25 May 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;324:1280Data supplement
Niall Cox
Specialist registrar in general and geriatric medicine Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor (b 4 November 1970; q St George’s Medical School 1996; BSc, MRCP), d 21 March 2002.
Niall Cox was brought up in Cheddar, Somerset, and educated at Kings of Wessex School and St George’s Medical School. He carried out his general professional training in the Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon, and at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
In 2000 he entered the North Wales rotation as specialist registrar in general and geriatric medicine and worked for his last 18 months in Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. In his application for this post he described his enjoyment of acute medicine and problem solving, the challenges and satisfaction of work with older people, and the rewards of participating as a member of a team. His fondest memory of his professional experience was as a member of the stroke team, where his personality and professional skills were highly valued and respected. Here he carried out research on hydrocephalus and produced results with useful clinical application.
Niall was diagnosed as having acute lymphoid leukaemia at the age of 15 and eventually received an autologous bone marrow transplant at the time of his A levels, when he was 18. He later developed acute myeloid leukaemia, leading to a second bone marrow allograft from which he never recovered.
To those who knew Niall as a professional colleague it seemed that his own experiences had provided a gift of insight and empathy. His attitude was consistently positive, lighthearted, and humorous where appropriate, with an exceptionally clear sense of value. He coped remarkably well with the demands of academic and professional life. His personal strength was revealed by his attitude to work in the last months of his life. He took minimal time off and attended to his clinical duties to a consistently high standard and with good nature even when anaemic and unwell.
Niall was a talented railway photographer—he enjoyed this as a simple pleasure and with good humour. He was amused to have achieved publication of one of his photographs in Rail (vol 428 p59) shortly before he died. Niall’s positive engagement with life was epitomised in his choice of partner, Kathy, whom he met at the time of his graduation in 1996 and married in 1999. Together they lived to the full with a sense of adventure and enjoyment. This attitude was still evident as Niall approached what was to be his last course of treatment with remarkable courage.
In our grief we acknowledge the unfulfilled potential and special qualities of one who died so innocent. [Alan Bates, FRCP, consultant physician, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor]
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