Managing Medical and Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma

Initially he organised structured training for life‐threatening obstetric emergencies in the West Midlands and in 1997 he and Charles Cox were the inspiration for developing the ‘Managing Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma’ (MOET) course, aimed at senior obstetricians and anaesthetists. A modified MOET course was taken overseas where he introduced ideas and protocols with tact and efficiency.

He worked closely with midwives in research and in the implementation of labour ward guidelines. He organised national meetings dealing with childbirth and worked with the National Childbirth Trust and Baby Lifeline, again to promote safer childbirth without overmedicalisation. The foundation of his research charity ‘Childbirth without Fear’ aims to continue to improve the care of women during childbirth.

Richard will be remembered by many, particularly by his trainees. His boundless enthusiasm and generosity with his time, ideas and academic work meant that there was a queue to work with him. The publication problem would be solved and the trainee would have a nationally respected mentor who continued to take an interest in their career.

Perhaps instinctively feeling that time was precious led him to achieve so much so quickly. Much of it was due to the intellectual sparking between him and his anaesthetist wife, Charlotte. They demonstrated the teamwork that is part of the philosophy of MOET.

‘To see a human being reveal really exceptional qualities one must be able to observe his activities over many years. If these activities are completely unselfish; if the idea motivating them is unique in its magnanimity; if it is quite certain that they have never looked for any reward; and if in addition they have left visible traces on the world – then one may say, without fear of error, that one is in the presence of an unforgettable character.’

Jean Giono, from a short story called The Man Who Planted Trees

Virginia Beckett

Alastair Campbell

Charles Cox

Johan Creemers

Kara Dent

R. John Elton

Diana Fothergill

Simon Grant

Brigid Hayden

Kim Hinshaw

Charlotte Howell

Shirin Irani

Geraldine Masson

Douglas Mein

Sara Paterson‐Brown

Felicity Plaat

Bheemasenachar Prasad

Rahul Sen

Paul Sharpe

There are few, if any, such polarised areas of clinical practice as obstetrics. The contrast between the magical beauty of normal pregnancy and childbirth and the often very rapidly progressive and terrifying emergency situation is extreme.

Being prepared for any eventuality is therefore the cornerstone of safe obstetric practice, and while this anticipation can help avoid a situation altogether, it can also enhance the likelihood of early recognition and damage limitation. In those absolutely unavoidable emergencies being well informed, prepared and practised can make the difference between life and death, or health and disability: this is reason enough for clinicians to go to every length to keep themselves informed, alert and vigilant.