Charles Douglas Needham
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7408.229-b (Published 24 July 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:229Data supplement
- Charles Douglas Needham
Former consultant physician Aberdeen (b 1915; q Middlesex Hospital, London, 1939; MD, FRCP), d 7 June 2003.After working in Aberdeen as a registrar, Needham served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in northwest Europe and India. He was appointed consultant physician in Aberdeen in 1948. Working as a general physician, Douglas showed the enthusiasm, energy, and humour that sparked real interest among his students. At the bedside they learnt to use ears, eyes, and hands to reach a diagnosis: requests for investigations had to be justified. Applications for his house job were always oversubscribed. Patients felt safe with a doctor who listened, and respected them as individuals.
We often met to consult over a patient with a digestive complaint, and Douglas would dig into his wide experience as we discussed the need for operation. He assembled a substantial practice in gastroenterology, which soon showed the need for a specialist appointment and, over time, he saw the emergence of the present four-consultant unit.
Early on Douglas revealed the potential of clinical audit in his community based studies of alimentary tract haemorrhage, published in 1950 and in 1973, and of colorectal cancer in 1980. One has clear memories of the team sitting round the Needhams’ kitchen table on many evenings, as the wealth of data on punch cards was analysed and Douglas, brandishing his slide rule, sought to elucidate their significance.
The NHS has always relied on the forbearance of consultants’ families, especially before hours of work were much talked about. Margaret supplied expert secretarial services, and household management, which directly enabled a consultant service to be provided at all hours. In 1976 Douglas and Margaret retired to the Borders where they created a remarkable house and garden, a welcome retreat for their three children and four grandchildren. [Peter F Jones]
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