West Midlands

• Pervaz Mohammed - Chair & Representative on Council

• Rachel Griffiths - Secretary

• James Pethick - Treasurer

• Deon Coley-Grant - Meetings Secretary

• Monika Jankute - Trainees Committee Representative

• Anna Sanders - Regional Tutor

• Michael Cornes - FCS Representative

• vacant - Regional Audit Lead

• Michael Cornes - Website Coordinator

• vacant - Clinical Microbiology Representative

• Thomas Wilding - Clinical Immunology Representative

• Anna Sanders - Workforce Representative

• Abigail Stow - Ordinary Member

• Lucy Hawkins - Ordinary Member

• vacant - Ordinary Member

• Owen Driskell - NIHR Clinical Research Network (Invited Member)

For nearly 40 years, Robert Gaddie was an outstanding figure in British clinical biochemistry, pioneering the practice and teaching of the subject and helping to establish the status of the non-medical biochemist. From 1941 to 1972 he was head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the General Hospital, Birmingham and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in the University of Birmingham. He died in 1984 at the age of 77. With the help of a generous donation from his widow, Jean, the West Midlands Region of the Association of Clinical Biochemists established the Robert Gaddie Memorial Fund shortly after his death to perpetuate the memory of his lifetime's dedication to clinical biochemistry.

The Fund is dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge and education and to promote scientific excellence, with particular reference to clinical biochemistry in the West Midlands. To this end the Fund:

• Awards an annual prize for the best scientific poster, paper or presentation in the West Midlands Region.
• Provides funds to enable clinical biochemists to attend meetings to learn about and discuss advances in scientific medicine.
• Enables clinical biochemists to visit other laboratories in the UK or abroad to learn new techniques or to obtain first-hand knowledge from recognised experts.
• Purchases items of laboratory equipment or reagents for research purposes.
• Invites experts to speak at regional meetings.

Robert Gaddie was born in Scotland in 1907 and educated in Edinburgh. Graduating with first class honours in chemistry in 1929, he gained a PhD after two years in the Royal Infirmary for his study of fat metabolism in muscular exercise. He was then awarded a Beit Memorial Fellowship and undertook further research in the Medical School, but he kept in close touch with C P Stewart, University Lecturer in Biochemistry and Biochemist to the Royal Infirmary.

Stewart rose to become a major international figure in clinical biochemistry, and years later Gaddie noted that, although he had never heard of biochemistry before it 'appealed more than geology or some such subject' and confessed that 'no other branch of chemistry had any lasting appeal after that year'. Gaddie was appointed Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool, then in 1941 was persuaded by an offer 'too good to refuse' to take charge of the Biochemistry Department at Birmingham General Hospital. At that time, this was one of the few autonomous hospital biochemistry departments in the country.

He served there with great distinction for 31 years. As well as a first class brain, Gaddie had a bearing and presence that could have taken him to almost any position of authority, but he preferred to remain as head of a hospital laboratory where his first priority was always to the Department. He was highly respected throughout the General Hospital and became the first non-medical chairman of the Medical Staff Committee. Gaddie was patient and slow to criticise, but when necessary a simple 'this won’t do' was universally regarded as a criticism that could not be ignored. He was always totally reasonable, absolutely straight and usually got his way by sound logic expressed in his crisp and commanding Edinburgh accent. In addition, he had a wonderful fund of stories to help establish friendly relationships with anyone from porters to professors when simple logical argument proved inadequate.

Service to the profession

Before about 1950 there were few clinical biochemists in the UK, mostly employed in pathology departments, and their status and salaries were poor. Bob Gaddie played a crucial role in improving this situation and establishing the practice and teaching of clinical biochemistry on a firm professional footing. He was a leading figure in the formation of the Midland Association of Clinical Biochemists (as it was then) in 1949, and of the national Association in 1953. For the rest of his career he served the Association almost continuously: as Council member, Treasurer, Chairman and President, and in 1972 was elected an Honorary Member. He was a superb chairman of Council, where debate was often vigorous, but he made sure that nobody dominated and just at the right moment he would summarise apparently opposing threads to create agreement. Gaddie worked on the Whitley Council to improve the pay and conditions of science graduates in the formative years of the NHS and was instrumental in setting up the postgraduate Mastership in Clinical Biochemistry.

From 1967, he was a member of the Zuckerman Committee set up to 'consider the future organisation and development of hospital scientific and technical services in NHS laboratories and the broad pattern of staffing required'. Throughout his career Gaddie staunchly supported the development of technical services, and for many years was an examiner for the HNC and HND qualifications. After he retired he served as Scientific Officer to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and as European Editor of the journal Clinica Chimical Acta. His influence on all who came into contact with him was profound, and the award of the OBE in 1969 was recognition of a lifetime service to the profession.

Robert was married to, Jean, a fellow gradate in chemistry from Edinburgh of 1929. After they were married she worked full time, first at ICI in Liverpool and later as Scientific Librarian at Bakelite in Birmingham. They had no children. Robert Gaddie died in 1984 at the age of 77. In her closing years, Jean Gaddie wished to perpetuate the memory of her husband's lifetime dedication to Clinical Biochemistry, giving a generous donation at the establishment of the Fund, and leaving a substantial bequest on her death in 1995.

Applications should be made using the application form below.
These should be submitted to the Secretary of the Trustees: Dr Mike Petchey, Department of Biochemistry, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, CV2 2DX.

The following information should be supplied:
Name, title, qualifications, department and position held (if more than one applicant, the award will be made to the first named).
The amount of money being requested, with itemised details of expenditure where possible.
A concise statement in no more than 500 words of how the money will be spent, including details of previous work if the award will be used to extend a research project.

If the award will be used to part fund the project, the total cost should be given and the source of the additional funding.
A signed statement from the head of the applicant's department that they approve the application and will provide the necessary facilities, leave of absence, etc. that may be required is also necessary.

A brief written report will be required from successful applicants on completion of their project.

Robert Gaddie Memorial Fund application form

 

Trustees:
Chair: Prof Rousseau Gama
Secretary: Dr Michael Petchey
Treasurer: Dr Clare Ford
University Representative: Prof Kristien Boelaert
Chair ACB West Midlands: Mr Pervaz Mohammed
Members: Dr Steve Smith & Dr Mike Cornes

2023   R Marrington
2022   No Award
2021   E Braybrook
2020   No Award
2019   No Award
2018   No Award
2017   No Award
2016   No Award
2015   A Gerrard
2014   H Tanner
2013   No Award
2012   S J Whitehead
2011   L Darwin
2010   J L Waldron
2009   M P Cornes 
2008   L Morgan
2007   C Tomkins
2006   R Marrington
2005   H Hutton
2004   S Marsh
2003   S Barber
2002   J Burrows
2001   C Shetty
2000   P E Goddard
1999   R Pattenden
1998   C F E Meadway
1997   C Ford
1996   K O Lewis
1995   P B Brown
1994   H R Seddon
1993   S M Williams
1992   E S Ryan
1991   R G Penn
1990   M F Ryan
1989   P Gosling
1988   M S Billingham
1987   P Gosling
1986   T A Gray

• Birmingham Childrens Hospital
  Address - Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH
  Specialities - Unknown

• Birmingham Quality (UK NEQAS)
  Address - Institute of Research & Development, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2SQ
  Specialities - External quality assessment for Clinical Chemistry, Urine Chemistries, Lipid Investigations, eGFR, Thyroid Hormones, Steroid Hormones, Specific Proteins, Salicylate Paracetamol & Ethanol, Glycated Haemoglobins, Lead & Cadmium in Blood, Catecholamines & Metabolites, Newborn Screening, Paediatric Bilirubin, Cholinesterase Investigations, Faecal Markers of Inflammation, Faecal Occult Blood for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Quantitative Phenylalanine, Sweat Testing, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Urine Dipsticks, Urinary Orotic Acid, Haematinic Assays, Holotranscobalamin, Erythropoietin, Intrinsic factor antibodies, Thyroglobulin and Vitamin Assays.
  Go to www.birminghamquality.org.uk for further details.

• City Hospital
  Address - Dudley Road, Birmingham, B18 7QH
  Specialities - Vitamin D, Vitamin E & A,Carotenes, Serum Cholinesterase, Human Feacal Pancreatic Elastase-1, Thipurine S-methyl transferase, 6-thioguanine nucleotides & RBC Cholinseterase.
  Go to www.cityassays.org.uk for more information.

   

• City Hospital - Toxicology Lab
  Address - Dudley Road, Winson Green, Birmingham, B18 7QH
  Specialities - Plasma Aluminium, Opiate Confirmations Workplace Drug Testing, Vigabatrin, Lamotrigine, Gabapentin, Thiopentone Levels, Blood Lead Zinc, Protoporphyrin, Drugs of Abuse, g-hydroxy butyrate, Amphetamines, Ethosuximide and Unknown drug screening.

• Heartlands Hospital
  Address - Dept of Biochemistry & Immunology, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5SS
  Specialities - Aldosterone, Gastrin, Hormocysteine, Renin, Urine Catecholamines, Urine 5HIAA
  Go to www.heftpathology.com for more information.

• New Cross Hospital
  Address - Dept of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wednesfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP
  Specialities - Vit D, fructosamine, EDTA and female steroid hormone profile (androstenedione, testosterone, DHEAS and 17OHP)

• Princess Royal Hospital
  Address - Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Apley Castle, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 6TF
  Specialities - Unknown

• Queen's Hospital Burton
  Address - Queen's Hospital, Belvedere Rd, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0RB, tel: 01283 511511
  Specialities - Routine DGH pathology laboratory

• Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Address - Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ
  Specialities - Unknown

• Russells Hall Hospital
  Address - Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, DY1 2HQ
  Specialties - None to list

• Sandwell Hospital
  Address - Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich, West Midalnds, B71 4HJ
  Specialities - Unknown
  Go to www.cityassays.org.uk for more information.

• University Hospital Birmingham
  Address - Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, B29 6JD
  Specialities - 17OH-Progesterone, ACTH, Bile ACids, Colloidal oncotic pressure, CSF scans, Cyclosporin, D4-Androstenedione, DHAS, Equilibrium dialysis FT4, FDH screen, Growth hormone, Heterophilic antibody screening (TFT), IGF1 Binding Protein 3, Lamotrigine, Lp(a), Methotrexate, Oestradiol (RIA), Pituitary polypeptide, PTH, SHBG T4 & T3 antibodies, Tacrolimus, Thyroglobulin and Urinary Free Cortisol.

• University Hospital of North Staffordshire
  Address - Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, City General Hospital, Newcastle Road, ST4 6QG
  Specialities - Molecular genetics (HFE, factor V Leiden, prothrombin, HLA-B27, alpha-1-antitrypsin), Pharmacogenetics (CYP2D6), Mass spectrometry (vitamin D, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, urine metadrenalines), Faecal calprotectin, Faecal pancreatic elastase-1, Urine stone screen, Macroprolactin (PEG precipitation), Thyroglobulin (inc. thyroglobulin antibodies), ACTH, Bile acids, Sweat analysis, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)

• Walsall Manor Hospital
  Address - Department of Blood Sciences, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Moat Road, Walsall, WS2 9PS
  Specialities – Go to https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/blood-sciences-information.aspx for more information