Eric Coleman

Consultant paediatric cardiologist

Born: June 22, 1925;

Died: October 13, 2016

DR ERIC Coleman, who has died aged 91, was a senior lecturer in child health and a consultant paediatric cardiologist who had a major influence on the development of medical services for children with heart disease in Scotland.

He was responsible for the creation of the department of cardiology at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow, which led to the foundation of the Scottish Paediatric Cardiac Service, which undertakes all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of children with heart disease.

Dr Coleman's persistence and support for cardiac technical staff was also an important influence on the initiation of a BSc Honours degree in clinical physiology which is awarded by Caledonian University to cardiac physiologists, confirming their professional equality with longer established medical scientific officers.

He was born in Ayr, the only child of Philip and Marion Coleman. The family moved to the Glasgow area when he was four years old and he lived for the rest of his life in Bearsden. He was educated at Bearsden Academy and from there went to University of Glasgow.

He qualified MB, ChB in 1948 and after pre-registration house posts he undertook national service. From 1949 to 195l, he served as captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps with the Rhine Army in north Germany, becoming usefully fluent in the language. He enjoyed the experience the army provided but was keen to establish his medical career in Scotland and, in 1954, began his long association with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.

Promotion was steady and in 1961, having gained MD with commendation he was appointed consultant paediatrician in the University Department of Child Health.

His commitment to paediatric cardiology began in 1959, a time when the potential for improving the outlook for babies and children with congenital malformations of the heart was becoming widely recognised. After a period in the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm he set up a catheterisation laboratory in the only room available in the basement of the hospital and founded the unit that has grown to become the Scottish Paediatric Cardiac Service. Very early in its inception he introduced a punch card record system which continued well into the age of computerisation. Its easily accessible data was of great value in simple research and invaluable when a case-sheet was lost or the computer had crashed. Dr Coleman ensured that the department kept abreast of diagnostic innovations, latterly developing particular expertise in ultrasound techniques with the introduction of the first two-dimensional scanner and spectral and colour Doppler machines in the country.

In addition to clinical work and development, education was a lifelong interest. Dr Coleman was especially attentive to the educational needs of all staff, both medical and technical. Testament to this is that technical staff trained in the RHSC are now in senior positions in a number of hospitals, both paediatric and adult. He ensured that all who worked in the department achieved the highest standard of training. For years he was president of the Society for Cardiological Science and Technology, continuing his support as chairman well into retirement. The Eric Coleman medal was awarded annually to the year's best student.

Medical students were instructed at Dr Coleman's general and cardiology out-patient clinics and at the bedside during ward rounds. For contact with patients and parents he always wore a crisp white coat and he favoured a bow tie. At meetings he might wear a long tie but seldom displayed the Mensa tie of which he was very proud.

In 1957 he recognised the need for a qualification to certify the achievements of postgraduate student who attended for instruction, many from developing countries. He introduced the Diploma of Child Health and was chairman of the Panel of Examiners for many years. He was postgraduate advisor and tutor providing career guidance and pastoral care for doctors in training and became regional postgraduate speciality advisor in paediatrics in 1972.

From 1964 to 1980 he was honorary secretary of the Scottish Paediatric Society, the oldest society for paediatricians in the UK, supervising the organisation of the twice yearly meetings and enjoying especially the planning of joint meetings with the British Paediatric Association at Aviemore celebrating, in 1972 and 1982, the jubilee and diamond jubilee of

the society.

Dr Coleman was meticulous about accuracy in communication both spoken and written so that there would be no ambiguity of meaning. However, he admitted that his handwriting tended towards traditional doctors' script and he occasionally needed help to interpret it.

Outwith his medical work Dr Coleman had many interests. He travelled widely, often acting as courier using his knowledge of history and architecture to add to the interest of a tour, but listed theology and music as two major recreational interests.

He was a member of Bearsden Episcopal Church where he was lay preacher for many years. In later years he was received into the Roman Catholic Church and took Holy Orders, a career he had considered before becoming a doctor.

His taste in music was comprehensive. Church music and classical works he loved deeply but he was also fond of Abba. He enjoyed food and wine and was a generous host whether eating out or entertaining at home. He was an excellent cook and soup was a speciality, his Cullen skink unsurpassed.