Simon Brook

I first thought about being a GP when I was evacuated to my Uncle and Aunt in the war and my GP Uncle took me on home visits. After qualifying, I did House & Casualty jobs at Lewisham and then Obs. & Gynae. at Redhill General.
In 1962, I married Pam Barnardo, a London Hospital Nurse, and in 1964, trained with my Father-in-law in Reading. After working for 2 years in Yorkshire, I joined a partnership in Cambridge.
We were privileged to be involved with teaching and training students and doctors from 1973. The clinical school then started in 1976 and the photo shows the Chancellor and Prof. John Butterfield, (then Regius Professor,) at the opening of the new building.
I was a clinical assistant at the old Maternity Hospital for 10 years, eventually being attached to Prof. Douglas, Cambridge’s first Professor of Obstetrics. As an honorary assistant I was a keen user of the GP delivery scheme until the whole unit moved to the new Rosie Hospital.
In 1990, I became a clinical assistant in the care of the elderly. This eventually led to working on a short term specialised ward for Patients Awaiting Alternative Accommodation elsewhere (PAAAFEs) in Addenbrooke’s. I was also involved as GP rep. with the pilot study on the implementation of the NHS & Community Care Act.

Our practice was probably the first in Cambridge to care for a patient suffering from Aids. I was the GP rep. on the Joint Advisory Group on Aids and organised a visit to St Stephen’s & St Mary’s to study the care of these patients. This was postponed by the hurricane, in 1987!
Besides my research on the introduction of Western Medicine to China, I have been involved with research on the Placenta, the early diagnosis of Pregnancy with the introduction of Ultrasound, Bone Density, Hyperlipidaemia, and the Contraceptive Pill. It has been a great pleasure to co-operate with so many colleagues in this way.
After semi- retiring in 2001, I worked as a locum for several years, until fully retiring in 2009. We have four grown up children and so enjoy spending time with them all and their families. Our seven grandchildren, aged between 20 and 1, are keeping us young!
Pam and I do hope you have a wonderful reunion and send you all our warmest greetings.