Tributes to Hospice Champion Dr Harry Buckland

Tributes have been paid to Grimsby GP Dr Harry Buckland, who was instrumental in the founding of St Andrew’s Hospice, following his death at the age of 99.

Born in 1924 in Bromley, Kent, Dr Buckland was described as a “kind and generous” father by daughters Tricia and Sue, devoted to his family and “in awe of life”.

As a local GP, he found he lacked capacity to provide suitable palliative care and so became pivotal in the hospice’s formation after answering an appeal in the local press for medical help.

In his autobiography, he recalled hosting an initial meeting in his dining room with Sandringham Road Church priest Julian Dunn and Michael Thorpe, Chaplain at Scartho Road Hospital. At that time, the only hospice in England was St Joseph’s in Sydenham, set up by Dame Cicely Saunders.

He wrote: “The three of us met in my dining room to plan a Grimsby hospice. We convened a public meeting in the old Geriatric Unit at Scartho Road Hospital and badgered Social Services to lend us (for free of course) a Sunday session in the Molson Centre in Kent Street.

“We cadged remaindered food from Marks & Spencer and offered day centre care with free transport to terminal patients. Gradually we added occupational activities but more importantly counselling to patients and relatives. Bear in mind that at the time ‘cancer’ was still a taboo word.”
As St Andrew’s Hospice expanded over the years, he paid tribute to the “wisdom and financial expertise” of former chairman Ian Davey, as well as volunteers such as Sheila Brydges who ran fundraising shops.

He added: “It is funded entirely by the generosity of the people of Grimsby and the surrounding area; a wonderful example of ‘charity begins at home’ and yet to quote from Shakespeare: ‘The quality of mercy is twice blessed; it blesseth both the giver and the receiver.’

“Substitute charity for mercy and you will see what I mean; all of us involved with St Andrew’s are better people for that involvement.”

Following a happy childhood, Dr Buckland put his medical career on hold when World War II broke out. He joined the armoured car renaissance and spent time travelling France, Belgium and Holland as part of the D Squadron of the Inns of Court, before a move to the Far East was proposed.
However, just after VE Day, his father wrote to their MP Waldron Smithers to suggest that those who had given up a reserved occupation such as medicine should be permitted early release.

Mr Smithers agreed and, following consultation with the Minister concerned, Dr Buckland was discharged to take up his studies at Peterhouse College, Cambridge and later Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill.

He met and married Jeanne, who he described as “the love of my life”, and later moved to her hometown of Grimsby with children Tricia, Sue and David, who sadly died of cystic fibrosis aged 20.

“Dad absolutely adored mum,” said Sue. “He was the most kind and generous father we could wish for and always encouraged us to take on lots of different opportunities.”

Tricia added: “He was also a strong advocate for women in society. He saw how hard his mum worked to bring up her children, and his dad always instilled work ethic, respect and honesty in him.

“He was honest to a fault and would always go out of his way to fight the cause for his patient. He was always much braver when taking on someone else’s cause but wouldn’t fight for himself in the same way.”

She continued: “He wouldn’t be silenced when he felt there were decisions to be made, it was always what was best for the community.

“He had three children, one who was disabled, and a busy job with unsocial hours, and he still found time to look after his family and do his bit for the community.”

The sisters described their father as a “big fan” of the hospice, which he supported in a number of different ways throughout his life – whether through donations, fundraising or even playing Father Christmas.

“As a GP, he had felt inadequate because he couldn’t provide the care his patients and their families needed,” Tricia said. “The families were just left to get on with it with a very rigid pain management system.”

Sue added that she remembered the first meeting in the family dining room, where a plan was formed to help families “who needed a break”.

“Volunteers helped out to look after patients to make sure they were safe, whilst their families could have some time to themselves.”

Tricia continued: “The hospice is now a huge local resource, which we’re so fortunate to have. It started from something small and built from there; it’s amazing what you can do when you don’t take no for an answer.“

Dr Buckland also contributed to the face of local healthcare, campaigning for a new hospital as part of the Grimsby Health Authority District Management Team and identifying the illogical distribution of NHS funding.

He was also pivotal in the formation of the Resource Allocation Working Party (RAWP), and subsequent implementation of a complicated yet “logical and fair” algebraical formula which is still in use today.

However, it was the hospice which held a special place in his heart, which Sue and Tricia said makes them “so proud”.

“People fear the hospice, but everyone is so nice and it’s such a warm, positive place. It’s lovely to know where it started and see where it is today, and all the facilities it has to offer.

“It does a lot more than just look after people in the last week of their life. You sometimes need a bit of a backup when things get tough.”

The family are now planning a celebration in the Lake District in lieu of a funeral and have asked for donations to St Andrew’s Hospice in Dr Buckland’s name.

“We should all talk more about what we would like after we die. Dad did, and it’s a comfort to know we’re doing what he wanted.

“He set the example that you can achieve everything you want if you put your mind to it. We’re extremely proud of him.”

St Andrew’s Hospice Chief Executive Michelle Rollinson also paid tribute to “hospice champion” Dr Buckland.

“We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dr Buckland. There are so many who owe so much to his lifelong devotion to helping others, but no more than our very own hospice.

“Not only was he involved in the formation of St Andrew’s Hospice, Dr Buckland was a true champion of the hospice movement and continued to support us throughout his life.

“On behalf of everyone who has touched our services over the last 44 years, we are truly grateful.”