Richard Henderson Yearsley
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7469.803-f (Published 30 September 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:803Data supplement
Richard Henderson Yearsley
Principal in general practice Thornhills Medical Group, Larkfield near Maidstone, Kent (b 1957; q St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, 1983; DRCOG, MRCGP), died from an astrocytoma on 29 July 2004.Richard Yearsley brought to general practice the personal attributes of persistence, an inquiring mind, practical skills, and an empathetic personality.
Never one to give up easily, he had a particular interest in conditions requiring long-term management such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease.
With a strong interest in applied technology, he pioneered the use of IT in the surgery, installing and managing the practice network and, when necessary, building the PCs on which it ran.
He was naturally more practical than intellectual—reflected in accomplishments in photography, canoeing, sailing, skiing, and woodwork—and had a flair for minor surgery, helping to establish Thornhills as a local centre of excellence for treating day cases in the community.
Treating the whole patient became a particular passion and he encouraged the development of psycho-therapeutic skills in the practice, giving significant amounts of his own time to counselling patients.
When impaired balance led to the diagnosis of a brain tumour at the time of his 42nd birthday, his main concern was the effect the inevitable trauma would have on those he loved. For someone who took such delight in dexterity, he bore the relentless loss of physical capability with an equanimity that inspired those around him.
He leaves a wife, Carole, and three teenage sons. [Aidan Stowe]
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