Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 277-278. doi: 10.1192/pb.26.7.277-a
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 277-278
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Duraiswami Gaspar
Formerly Consultant Psychiatrist Little Branwick Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham
Tom Fenton and
Elizabeth M. Gregg
Dr Duraiswami Gaspar, known to his family, friends and colleagues as
‘Sammy’, died suddenly at his home in Birmingham on 10 December
2001. Born in Madras in 1934, he received his education in that city and
graduated MBBS from Stanley Medical College in 1958 after a distinguished
undergraduate career culminating in his being awarded a prize as ‘best
outgoing student’. In early years he trained as a general physician with
an interest in cardiology, and was awarded the MD degree by his College in
1963.
However, in 1968 Sammy decided to leave India and seek his fortunes in the
UK. In that year he began his new career as a psychiatrist with an appointment
as registrar at Moorhaven Hospital, Ivybridge, subsequently moving on to West
Park Hospital, Epsom, and thence to St George's Hospital, Stafford, where he
began his higher training. During this period he showed his typical resolution
in studying for and gaining both the MRCP (England) and the DPM (England)
qualifications. He came to Birmingham on the regional training scheme for
senior registrars in 1971, training in the psychiatric department at the Queen
Elizabeth Hospital and the Midland Nerve Hospital, and was appointed
consultant psychiatrist at Hollymoor Hospital, Birmingham, in 1974. Within 2
years he agreed to take over the consultant responsibility for the care of
those patients in the hospital who were suffering from dementia and for all
referrals of dementia. With a small and dedicated team, a service with a
strong orientation towards care in the community was developed. Thenceforth,
his involvement with the speciality of old age psychiatry, as it in due course
became, flourished so that in the space of a few years it became a first-class
service based in Hollymoor Hospital and East Birmingham (now Heartlands)
Hospital.
He had a special fondness for teaching, to which he devoted much of his
time and energy. As a pioneer in his field in the West Midlands, he was
instrumental in recruiting junior staff into old age psychiatry. He was the
first to represent the West Midlands on the Faculty Executive in its early
years, and during his tenure of office as chairman of the Regional Higher
Training Sub-Committee, the West Midlands was one of the first regions in the
country to set up a separate training scheme for old age psychiatry. His
commitment during those years in office was instrumental in a strong
foundation being laid for this scheme, and it is part of his legacy that his
strength has endured. The major contribution he made to his speciality was
recognised with his election to FRCPsych in 1985, and he was further rewarded
with the granting of FRCP in 1995. He was a fine clinician and a caring,
compassionate doctor. As a colleague he was strong in support, and a team
player.
Following his retirement in 1999 he kept up his lifelong interest in
politics and devoted his energies to creative writing, computer studies,
travel and, above all, to the interests and wellbeing of his family. He was a
loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. His wife and their five
children and two grandchildren survive him.
