Tributes paid to retired South Tyneside surgeon Chris Pritchett

Tributes have been paid to a doctor who helped our patients better access day surgery and supported studies into cancer.

Dr Colin Bradshaw, a GP based at Marsden Road Health Centre in South Shields, has written a tribute to Chris Pritchett.

A detailed article has been published by the BMJ and is available by clicking here, with details from the piece shared here with permission from the Pritchett Family.

Chris was born in 1948.

He first came to the North East after graduating from Bristol University. He moved to the Newcastle area as he undertook his surgical training.

His studies included cellular proliferation in human colorectal cancer and mucosa in vitro.

He maintained an interest in colorectal cancer and surgery throughout his career. 

His interest extended beyond this. He was a lecturer in gastric, endocrine and breast as well as colorectal surgery at the University of Hong Kong. This was from 1986 until 1990. 

His research portfolio was extensive. He often co-authored work on upper gastrointestinal bleeds with his wife Shirley Coleman. She is an eminent statistician in her own right.

Chris took up a consultant surgeon post in South Tyneside in 1990.

He worked alongside Kamil Wynne and Trevor Armitage and under the management of Brian Aisbitt.

Dr Bradshaw said the surgical department became one of the most progressive units in the country. It had a particular focus on day surgery.

Chris worked alongside GPs as they developed ways patients could access this service.

Dr Bradshaw said:

"Chris did not appear as a typical ‘Doctor in the House’ surgeon. 

"He was quiet, kind, listened to people – both patients and staff – and communicated well. 

"He was loved by staff and patients alike. 

"There was an air of Clement Freud about him but that belied a ferocious work ethic. 

"Above all he made great clinical decisions, made patients happy and was technically an excellent surgeon.

"However life was not all about work. Chris had a passion for his family, real ale and woodwork. 

"He owned a large rambling house in North Shields and an even more rambling place in South West France. 

"In both, he did all of his own repairs. 

"The idea that a skilled surgeon should risk his hands with chisels and saws never entered his head and indeed he rarely seemed to come to any harm. 

"He had a particular interest in restoring stringed instruments and there are still numerous ‘projects’ in his wood room."

Dr Bradshaw added a few years after retiring Chris developed a neurodegenerative disease. This did not have a precise diagnosis. 

He said:

"Despite the relentless deterioration, he remained, as always, happy and obliging,” he said.

"I last saw him two weeks before he was admitted with his final illness when we went for a couple of pints at our local real ale pub."

Chris is survived by Shirley and their children Rosie and Rowan.