Brian Cummins
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7422.1053-a (Published 30 October 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:1053
Data supplement
- Brian Cummins
Former consultant neurosurgeon Frenchay Hospital, Bristol (b 1933; q Bristol 1961; BA, FRCS, ChM), died from carcinoma on 16 August 2003.Brian Cummins was a classical scholar who subsequently trained in medicine in Bristol, being awarded the Gold medal. He returned as a consultant neurosurgeon at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol in 1973 after neurosurgical training in Oxford. Throughout his career he was an innovator and pioneer: he helped establish multidisciplinary neuro-oncology clinics; contributed to head injury management at a local and national level; led the introduction of operative microsurgery in the spine; and developed a cervical disc replacement now undergoing clinical trials.
His rich lifestyle included "compulsive travelling leading to penury" as he visited the many overseas surgeons he had trained and mentored. In 1993 he was World Health Organization neurosurgeon in Bosnia and in retirement he helped organise neurosurgical services in Brunei.
He leaves a wife, Annie, and two sons. A memorial service will be held at St John’s Church, South Parade, Bath, at 2 pm on Friday 28 November. [H B Coakham, R J Nelson]