Born: 
01/09/1929
Died: 
31/07/2005
Specialty: 
Rheumatology
Designatory Letters: 
MB Edin 1952, MRCP Edin 1959, FRCP Edin 1970

Tom Chalmers was born on 1 September 1929 and died suddenly on 1 August 2005.

He was educated at George Watson’s Boys College 1934-47 and the University of Edinburgh 1947-52, graduating M.B., Ch.B. He became MRCP in 1959 and FRCPEd in 1970. Following house appointments in Edinburgh he did National Service in the R.A.M.C. 1953-55.

In 1957 he became Registrar and Clinical Tutor in General Medicine/Rheumatology at the Eastern General Hospital. In 1960, he took up the post of Registrar in Rheumatology at the Northern General Hospital and from 1962 to 1967 he was Research Fellow/Hon.S.R. in that department, during which time he undertook a large clinical and teaching commitment in addition to his research work.

From 1967 to 1973, he was Senior Lecturer/Hon. Consultant in Rheumatology in the University of Manchester before returning to the northern General as a Consultant until he retired in 1994.

His research was varied and included ground-breaking trials of new drugs in Rheumatology, Complications of Drug Therapy, Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

He was a very caring doctor, much loved by his patients and he enjoyed Clinical Medicine very much. His dedication to patient care was absolute and he was a teacher par excellence.

His contribution to the affairs of the RCPE was immense. over the years, he served on numerous College Committees but he is remembered with affection by many as the excellent College Registrar 1981-83 and likewise College Secretary 1983-86. As with everything he did, his work for the College was done with total commitment. He was examiner for the MRCP and examined on behalf of the College in Libya. He was also involved in Medical Insurance work.

Throughout his career he was wonderfully supported by Elizabeth and their close and loving family.

Contributed by TE Hothersall