BA (Cantab) 1955, MA (Cantab) 1958, MB BS (Lond) 1958, BSc, FRCP 1977
Geoffrey Cohen was Consultant Renal Physician at the Derby City General Hospital. He lost his mother when aged five and was raised by his father with hired help. He was, as were many others, evacuated to Brentwood in 1939 at the onset of war but returned to start at Bancroft’s School only a year later. He was an excellent sportsman, playing for the 1st Hockey XI, captaining the 2nd Rugby XV and enjoying cricket.
In 1950 he joined the Royal Artillery, serving for two years at home and abroad, including Egypt, with another three years in the Territorials. He received his General Service Medal in 2000!
On leaving the army in 1952, he read Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and moved to the Westminster Hospital Medical School in 1955 to undertake clinical studies. Upon qualification he served in junior hospital posts at the Westminster, Addenbrookes, Lambeth, the Brompton, the Middlesex and the Royal Free Hospital. In 1964 he became a senior registrar, moving to Derby, where he remained for his clinical career.
He spent a year with Michael Kaye at the Montreal General Hospital in 1967/8, learning about dialysis, then in its infancy. This allowed him to return to Derby, establishing the first renal unit in the East Midlands in 1969. Like many at the time, much was learnt from experience and as the technology evolved. Formally opened in 1970, the renal unit provided twice weekly dialysis, overnight, to selected individuals, in preparation for them to move home. The dialysis unit was situated in the old sewing room of the hospital and had been paid for by a mix of local fundraising and hospital funds. The hospital records note that the unit was focussed on training people for home haemodialysis and it was no surprise that he was also one of the first to adopt peritoneal dialysis. The unit continued to maintain an active home dialysis programme until he retired.
Geoffrey was devoted to the NHS and to the Renal Unit in particular, and was proud to be a general physician too, with a regular acute take to challenge his diagnostic skills and clinical judgement to the full. As a single-handed renal physician until his retirement, he was always on call for the Renal Unit, as his family could attest. The renal unit continued to expand, in numbers and range of therapies. In 1995, in readiness for his successor, a 20 station purpose-built unit was opened, and half of patients were on peritoneal dialysis. He was popular with staff and much loved by his patients for his sympathy and understanding. It was a time when consultants carved the Christmas turkey and took their children in to say hello and pull the crackers with the patients on the ward. He established the 'Friends of the Renal Unit', fundraising with them for the social club and to provide more equipment for the Unit. He was not averse to attending fundraising events and on one memorable occasion, dressed up as Worzel Gummidge, with his wife as Aunt Sally, much to the delight of everyone!
He contributed greatly to the Medical Grand Rounds with all his clinical colleagues presenting their difficult cases, and was valued for his diagnostic skill and advice on the management of challenging cases. He was a teacher and examiner for Nottingham University and the first Derby consultant to be an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians. He represented his colleagues on the Regional Consultants Committee, the Central Consultants Committee, and the Forum for the funding of Supra-Regional specialties.
He retired in 1996, with a tinge of regret, but had the great virtues of being kind and supportive to his young successor, whilst not interfering. The occasional quiet word of advice supplemented by convivial dinners were received with gratitude. He had left a strong foundation for the service, which has continued to grow in breadth and depth.
Upon retirement, he immediately enrolled to read economics at Loughborough University for three years. It is rumoured that such was his character that he became student rep for his year, much to his amusement. In 2001 he moved to Alstonefield with Margaret, his wife whom he had married in 1964, walking their dog, photographing the countryside, and enjoying his love of the arts, especially music. He planned his funeral service, and it was a suitable reflection of the depth of his character.
Geoffrey is survived by Margaret, and their sons, Toby, Oliver, and Thomas and three grandchildren. Their daughter, Victoria, an internationally renowned eye cancer specialist, sadly died in 2020.
