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News focus: Man in a million
THE lives of thousands of patients have been transformed thanks to Dr Terry Daymond. But after nearly 28 years working at Sunderland Royal Hospital, it is time for the rheumatology consultant to retire. JULIE WILSON reports.
That's how patients see Dr Terry Daymond.
The caring Sunderland Royal Hospital consultant has brought hope to those crippled with pain and helped people walk again and regain use of their hands.
Tens of thousands of patients have been cared for by Dr Daymond, consultant in rheumatology, since he came to Wearside in 1979.
But after decades of serving the city, Dr Daymond, a visiting professor at Sunderland University, has reached retirement.
Dr Daymond, who was 65 last Saturday, says he has enjoyed his career in Sunderland.
He said: "I wouldn't change it for the world. It's been wonderful."
Dr Daymond, who retired on Friday, worked with patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, back pain sufferers and those with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
On average he saw 1,000 new patients a year and has about 3,000 follow-up appointments.
He said: "I like the job. I've been very privileged to work here. I've met some very nice people.
"The facilities here have been wonderful and I've done a lot of work on various things."
Dr Daymond started work in Sunderland on November 1, 1979, covering the District General, Royal Infirmary, Monkwearmouth and Ryhope Hospitals and Washington Health Centre, and he achieved a lot during his years on Wearside.
In the early days he worked with the Council for the Young Disabled.
He has been involved in a number of drugs studies, testing new anti-inflammatory treatments to help improve the lives of patients and he has given lectures across the world on his research.
In the 1990s, he spearheaded the Echo's Better Bones campaign to help fight osteoporosis by raising 80,000 to buy a bone densitometer scanner for the hospital.
In 1998, he was invited to become a visiting professor at the University of Sunderland, with the automotive unit. He was involved in research into car design and drivers with disabilities and arthritis.
More recently he was involved in setting up a multidisciplinary team for patients with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and was a clinical champion for the South of Tyne area.
Dr Daymond, born and brought up in Wimbledon, London, did his training at Edinburgh University.
He worked in King's Lynn, Norfolk, where he met his future wife Jackie, a medical technician, in 1967, and the couple married two years later.
Dr Daymond has seen a lot of changes during his time in the NHS, including a new anti-inflammatory treatments, called anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) drugs .
He said: "Treatments have changed. It started off with very simple drugs, now we've got more sophisticated drugs, which need a lot more monitoring.
"It's very satisfying having a treatment you can provide which will treat patients much better and relieve the symptoms better."
Dr Daymond is much loved by patients and some have been in tears at the news of his retirement.
He said: "They've all been very generous. I'm very grateful for the very kind presents and cards they've given me. They've been very nice and I will miss them."
Dr Daymond plans to spend more time with his family during his retirement. He has four children, Carolyn, Joanna, Ben and Charlotte, and four grand-children, who live in Exeter, Germany, Cambridge and Leicester.
He said: "I've got family scattered around so I'll be able to go and see them.
"And I will have a nice quiet time with my wife and enjoy not having to get up too early."
Dr Daymond, who lives in Newcastle, says he plans to keep in touch with his friends and colleagues.
He said: "I would like to thank everybody – colleagues and staff – for all their great support over the years and for the kindness of my patients."
'He's given me hope'
GRATEFUL patient Margaret Windle says Dr Terry Daymond brought hope to her life.
The 68-year-old, pictured, who sufferers from ME and fibromyalgia, has been treated by Dr Daymond since he arrived in Sunderland in 1979 and was one of the first patients to see him.
Margaret says he has helped to give her a better quality of life and thinks he will be irreplaceable.
She said: "He's fantastic. I love him to death. He gives you hope. He's a very, very caring doctor and a lot of people idolise him.
"He would help you with anything. He listens to you and he understands.
"He will be a sad loss. I don't think there will ever be a person to replace Dr Daymond. We're losing a brilliant man."
Margaret has had ME for 40 years.
Symptoms of the condition include crippling exhaustion, muscle pain, headaches, difficulty sleeping, thyroid and vision problems.
Margaret, of Jarrow, has three daughters Susan, 49, Judith, 48, and Gillian, 45, and two grand-daughters, Rosie and Katie.
* THE retirement of Dr Daymond sparked controversy over the withdrawal of the drug procaine at the hospital.
Patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital, who were given the pain relief drug by Dr Daymond, can no longer receive it now he has retired.
Hospital bosses were unable to find another doctor who would prescribe procaine because it is no longer widely used, having been overtaken by other treatments.
Patients will have to try other treatments to manage their pain.
Dr Daymond said: "It's quite an old treatment and new modern methods of treatment for pain are coming along."
Dr Daymond said it's perhaps time for patients to try other treatments.
Tributes for a respected colleague
MESSAGES of thanks have flooded in for Dr Terry Daymond, also referred to as professor due to him being a visiting professor at Sunderland University, on his retirement.
Ken Bremner, chief executive of City Hospitals Sunderland, said: "Professor Daymond is a well respected consultant rheumatologist who is extremely conscientious, caring and sensitive to his individual patient's needs.
"Professor Daymond is popular with both his patients and staff and will be very greatly missed by everyone at City Hospitals Sunderland. We wish him a very happy retirement."
Staff at the rheumatology department said: "Professor Terry Daymond will be greatly missed by rheumatology staff and patients alike.
"Terry has worked extremely hard and enthusiastically, caring for large numbers of patients, always with patience, empathy and a cheerful disposition.
"In addition to clinical work he has also continued research and played a very important role in service development, teaching and management.
"On behalf of the department, we wish Terry a much deserved, happy and healthy retirement."
A spokesman for City Hospitals Sunderland said: "Terry has made a huge contribution to healthcare in Sunderland, both within his speciality of rheumatology, and in the wider medical community.
"He has made many good friends at City Hospitals and will be sorely missed by both staff and patients."
Staff nurse Colleen Taylor, of the rheumatology department, said: "The nursing staff in the rheumatology department would like to say how much they are going to miss him and to thank him for all his care and support over the years, which has made their job easier and worthwhile."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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