Dr. Gordon McPhail
- Title
- Dr. Gordon McPhail
- Date
- 1991
- Type
- J.Peg
- Creator
- Harry Hillery
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Attribution - Non Commercial - Share Alike 4.0 International License
Description:
Dr Gordon McPhail was a clinical medical doctor at the Claude Nichol Clinic, when it was located in the Royal York building on the Old Steine - now a YHA hostel. He looked after patients with HIV and AIDS at the clinic between 1988 and 1990 and was quoted as saying “I jumped in at the deep end and I’m still learning about AIDS, as we all are. AIDS was thrust upon us, and we have had to learn very quickly, but I am a far better doctor now than when I started.”
Dr McPhail was also a trustee of the Sussex AIDS Trust, and in 1989 he helped launch a £2.5 million appeal to build a hospice on a disused hospital site in Bevendean with the motto ‘living with AIDS, not dying with it.’ He believed the facility was vital to provide convalescent care for AIDS patients, and respite for the people looking after them. His dream was realized when the Sussex Beacon opened its doors in 1992.
Gordon died of bronchial pneumonia, an AIDS related illness, at his Brighton home on 31 October 1991 aged 34. Colleagues described him as an excellent doctor and a very caring man. He was also a devout Quaker, and asked that friends and colleagues attend any service they chose after his death. A memorial meeting was held for him at the Friends Meeting House in Ship Street at 2.30pm on 10 November 1991.
Dr McPhail was also a trustee of the Sussex AIDS Trust, and in 1989 he helped launch a £2.5 million appeal to build a hospice on a disused hospital site in Bevendean with the motto ‘living with AIDS, not dying with it.’ He believed the facility was vital to provide convalescent care for AIDS patients, and respite for the people looking after them. His dream was realized when the Sussex Beacon opened its doors in 1992.
Gordon died of bronchial pneumonia, an AIDS related illness, at his Brighton home on 31 October 1991 aged 34. Colleagues described him as an excellent doctor and a very caring man. He was also a devout Quaker, and asked that friends and colleagues attend any service they chose after his death. A memorial meeting was held for him at the Friends Meeting House in Ship Street at 2.30pm on 10 November 1991.
Dr. Gordon McPhail
