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Duncan McCallum Gregg, MA, MRCS, LRCP, DMR, DMRD, FFRRCSI, FICS, FRCR
Clinical Radiology (1987) 38, 115-116
Obituary DUNCAN McCALLUM GREGG, MA, MRCS, LRCP, DMR, DMRD, FFRRCSI, FICS, FRCR Duncan Gregg, who was head of the Department of Radiology in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, from 1975 until 1981, died suddenly at a New Year's celebration on January 1st 1986. He was 69. The son of a doctor who was Chairman of the Council of the British Medical Association from 1949 to 1956 and also Mayor of St Pancras, Duncan was educated at University College School and at St Mary's Hospital, London. After qualifying in 1941, he spent two further years, first as House Physician and then as Medical Superintendent at St Mary's during the emergency war time conditions. Royal Naval service followed. He was Medical Officer in Combined Operations' landing ships in the Mediterranean and later was with Royal Marine commando units at the time of the D-Day landings. Returning to St Mary's, Duncan started radiological training in 1947 under Dr Rohan Williams. He took the London University DMR and the Conjoint Board DMRD in 1949, before becoming Assistant Radiologist. He was appointed consultant in the Cambridge area in 1952, initially working at Newmarket and Saffron Walden as well as at Addenbrooke's. At Addenbrooke's he and Dick Berridge kept the X-ray Department in the forefront of modern developments with early installation of image intensification and angiography. His enthusiasm too ensured that radiologists embraced mammography and diagnostic imaging with isotopes earlier than in many comparable hospitals. In the same period, as Papworth Hospital developed from a TB sanatorium into the East Anglian Regional Unit for cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology, his setting up of the X-ray Department, with image intensification and facilities for cardiac catheterisation and angiocardiography, was a notable achievement. After this he became involved in planning for the stage II and stage III Addenbrooke's development on the Hills Road site. His successors, as they enjoy the present modern and spacious facilities, have reason to be grateful for his negotiating skills amid many competing bids with the result that radiology achieved a very fair slice of the cake. Paradoxically, however, his least happy years were after the Department was commissioned, accompanied, as they were, by the reorganisation of the Health Service and what he saw as an increasingly remote and wasteful bureaucracy usurping the role of the consultant. Nevertheless, another notable milestone shortly after he became Head of Department was the establishment of the Chair in Radiology, which coincided with the opening of the Clinical School of Medicine. At this time he was appointed Associate Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine. In his last two years at Addenbrooke's he lost none of his interest in modern developments, working energetically as a member of the Computed Tomography Scanner Appeal Committee, and travelling extensively to speak at fund-raising functions. His last task at Addenbrooke's was to
escort the Prince of Wales at the opening ceremony. 'Retirement' did not divorce him from radiology. For nearly five more years, to the end of his life, he continued working with obvious enjoyment in the private sector at the Evelyn Hospital in a small department, which he had planned and equipped in 1976. Duncan's radiological interests were wide ranging, but predominantly in the thoracic, renal and vascular fields. He was a widely respected clinical radiologist with a clinical acumen, which was enhanced by the close links he forged with so many of his clinical colleagues. His office door was always open for consultation. However, often as not, he would be in the wards or in the Pathology Department, following up cases, even in the new Addenbrooke's, where the distance to and from the main ward block exceeds a quarter of a mile! Probably his happiest times were using his considerable practical skills in angiography. He was one of the earliest in the country to use the Seldinger technique, and to perform selective renal arteriograms. He kept abreast of new techniques and refinements of existing ones right up to the emergence of balloon angioplasty shortly before he retired. He relished the challenge of emergency angiography, day or night. Although not much involved in fundamental research, Duncan published a number of papers, the majority related to vascular radiology. His paper on renal and supra-renal tumours with elegant selective arteriograms, published in 1964, was ahead of its time. There followed a fascinating study of leg ulcers, by downward selective catherterisation of superficial femoral arteries with meticulous demonstrations of the associated arterio-venous shunts. Later, with Dr Peter Dick, he published a well-controlled study of the aortographic findings in mesenteric angina, which did much to restore commonsense to what was then a fashionable diagnosis. Positive, enthusiastic, colourful, humorous, warmhearted, emotional and generous are some of the words which spring to mind in describing Duncan. In the Department his team, down to the humblest member, responded to these qualities, and to his insistence on the highest of radiographic standards. He could be a formidable opponent whose emotions on occasion coloured his judgement, but he was quick to recognise this and to make amends, being incapable of nursing a grudge. Predominant among his hobbies were off-shore sailing, walking, bird-watching, rugger, opera and reading. His sailing friends were unanimous in saying that there could be no better crew member than Duncan in a force 9 gale. He loved nothing better than to escape for a few days walking in the Lake District or on the South Downs. He was at his best amongst his friends. His sense of fun and seemingly endless fund of anecdotes made him the life and soul of any
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party. These qualities were fully appreciated by those who enjoyed his company in the Radiological Visiting Club, membership of which he cherished and where he always seemed at his happiest amongst many close friends. Duncan was blessed with a happy family life. Although death came as a friend, it was far too soon.
He is survived by his wife Audrey and their family of four; Andrew, Lesley, Julian and Alexandra. To them we extend our sympathy in their loss and to Audrey in particular. Her devoted support was the key to a life of much achievement and fulfilment. G. I. Verney
Obituary DUNCAN McCALLUM GREGG, MA, MRCS, LRCP, DMR, DMRD, FFRRCSI, FICS, FRCR Duncan Gregg, who was head of the Department of Radiology in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, from 1975 until 1981, died suddenly at a New Year's celebration on January 1st 1986. He was 69. The son of a doctor who was Chairman of the Council of the British Medical Association from 1949 to 1956 and also Mayor of St Pancras, Duncan was educated at University College School and at St Mary's Hospital, London. After qualifying in 1941, he spent two further years, first as House Physician and then as Medical Superintendent at St Mary's during the emergency war time conditions. Royal Naval service followed. He was Medical Officer in Combined Operations' landing ships in the Mediterranean and later was with Royal Marine commando units at the time of the D-Day landings. Returning to St Mary's, Duncan started radiological training in 1947 under Dr Rohan Williams. He took the London University DMR and the Conjoint Board DMRD in 1949, before becoming Assistant Radiologist. He was appointed consultant in the Cambridge area in 1952, initially working at Newmarket and Saffron Walden as well as at Addenbrooke's. At Addenbrooke's he and Dick Berridge kept the X-ray Department in the forefront of modern developments with early installation of image intensification and angiography. His enthusiasm too ensured that radiologists embraced mammography and diagnostic imaging with isotopes earlier than in many comparable hospitals. In the same period, as Papworth Hospital developed from a TB sanatorium into the East Anglian Regional Unit for cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology, his setting up of the X-ray Department, with image intensification and facilities for cardiac catheterisation and angiocardiography, was a notable achievement. After this he became involved in planning for the stage II and stage III Addenbrooke's development on the Hills Road site. His successors, as they enjoy the present modern and spacious facilities, have reason to be grateful for his negotiating skills amid many competing bids with the result that radiology achieved a very fair slice of the cake. Paradoxically, however, his least happy years were after the Department was commissioned, accompanied, as they were, by the reorganisation of the Health Service and what he saw as an increasingly remote and wasteful bureaucracy usurping the role of the consultant. Nevertheless, another notable milestone shortly after he became Head of Department was the establishment of the Chair in Radiology, which coincided with the opening of the Clinical School of Medicine. At this time he was appointed Associate Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine. In his last two years at Addenbrooke's he lost none of his interest in modern developments, working energetically as a member of the Computed Tomography Scanner Appeal Committee, and travelling extensively to speak at fund-raising functions. His last task at Addenbrooke's was to
escort the Prince of Wales at the opening ceremony. 'Retirement' did not divorce him from radiology. For nearly five more years, to the end of his life, he continued working with obvious enjoyment in the private sector at the Evelyn Hospital in a small department, which he had planned and equipped in 1976. Duncan's radiological interests were wide ranging, but predominantly in the thoracic, renal and vascular fields. He was a widely respected clinical radiologist with a clinical acumen, which was enhanced by the close links he forged with so many of his clinical colleagues. His office door was always open for consultation. However, often as not, he would be in the wards or in the Pathology Department, following up cases, even in the new Addenbrooke's, where the distance to and from the main ward block exceeds a quarter of a mile! Probably his happiest times were using his considerable practical skills in angiography. He was one of the earliest in the country to use the Seldinger technique, and to perform selective renal arteriograms. He kept abreast of new techniques and refinements of existing ones right up to the emergence of balloon angioplasty shortly before he retired. He relished the challenge of emergency angiography, day or night. Although not much involved in fundamental research, Duncan published a number of papers, the majority related to vascular radiology. His paper on renal and supra-renal tumours with elegant selective arteriograms, published in 1964, was ahead of its time. There followed a fascinating study of leg ulcers, by downward selective catherterisation of superficial femoral arteries with meticulous demonstrations of the associated arterio-venous shunts. Later, with Dr Peter Dick, he published a well-controlled study of the aortographic findings in mesenteric angina, which did much to restore commonsense to what was then a fashionable diagnosis. Positive, enthusiastic, colourful, humorous, warmhearted, emotional and generous are some of the words which spring to mind in describing Duncan. In the Department his team, down to the humblest member, responded to these qualities, and to his insistence on the highest of radiographic standards. He could be a formidable opponent whose emotions on occasion coloured his judgement, but he was quick to recognise this and to make amends, being incapable of nursing a grudge. Predominant among his hobbies were off-shore sailing, walking, bird-watching, rugger, opera and reading. His sailing friends were unanimous in saying that there could be no better crew member than Duncan in a force 9 gale. He loved nothing better than to escape for a few days walking in the Lake District or on the South Downs. He was at his best amongst his friends. His sense of fun and seemingly endless fund of anecdotes made him the life and soul of any
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party. These qualities were fully appreciated by those who enjoyed his company in the Radiological Visiting Club, membership of which he cherished and where he always seemed at his happiest amongst many close friends. Duncan was blessed with a happy family life. Although death came as a friend, it was far too soon.
He is survived by his wife Audrey and their family of four; Andrew, Lesley, Julian and Alexandra. To them we extend our sympathy in their loss and to Audrey in particular. Her devoted support was the key to a life of much achievement and fulfilment. G. I. Verney