Dunstan, Michael Kingsley (1933 - 2015)
by
 
John S Fox

Asset Name
E008077 - Dunstan, Michael Kingsley (1933 - 2015)

Title
Dunstan, Michael Kingsley (1933 - 2015)

Author
John S Fox

Identifier
RCS: E008077

Publisher
London : Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publication Date
2015-09-15
 
2016-04-15

Subject
Medical Obituaries

Description
Obituary for Dunstan, Michael Kingsley (1933 - 2015), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Language
English

Source
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows

Full Name
Dunstan, Michael Kingsley

Date of Birth
13 October 1933

Place of Birth
London

Date of Death
22 August 2015

Occupation
Obstetrician and gynaecologist

Titles/Qualifications
MB BS Lond 1958
 
MRCS LRCP 1958
 
DObst 1961
 
FRCS 1964
 
FRCS Edin 1964
 
MRCOG 1966
 
FRCOG 1979

Details
Michael Kingsley Dunstan ('Mike') was a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth. He was born on 13 October 1933 in Chiswick, west London. His father, Chester, an Australian, was a general practitioner who had trained at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth Stoney. She had been born in South Africa to British parents and had, in her youth, been a member of a travelling theatre company which performed all over the Commonwealth. They married in 1927. Mike was educated at Felsted School, Essex, and subsequently entered the medical school at Guy's Hospital in 1953. During his time at Guy's he pursued an active interest in Christianity and its associated societies. He enthusiastically involved himself in a wide range of sports, playing cricket, tennis and rugby, but in later years turned to golf and squash. After qualifying in 1958, he spent two years in house office posts at Guy's and West Middlesex hospitals. In 1960 his first taste of obstetrics and gynaecology came as a senior house officer at the West Middlesex and Chiswick Maternity hospitals, where he was under the tutelage of a newly appointed consultant, Andrew Matthews. Mike's love of the specialty was ignited and flourished. He and Andrew became life-long friends. It was also at Chiswick Maternity Hospital that Mike met the love of his life, Hazel White, who was a midwifery sister and whom he married in 1963. Having decided upon a career in obstetrics and gynaecology, Mike, as was the convention at the time, pursued the surgical fellowship while in post as a senior house officer in the surgical department at West Middlesex Hospital under W J Ferguson. He was subsequently successful in both the English and Edinburgh fellowship examinations in 1964. He returned to obstetrics and gynaecology as a registrar at St Mary's Hospital, London, followed by a senior registrar appointment at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea hospitals, from whence he was appointed to his consultant post at the West Middlesex in 1967. He was very much a generalist in the specialty, but in his early years as a consultant he and Andrew Matthews pursued their interest in the management of pregnancies complicated by rhesus isoimmunisation. His research into this topic led to a paper, 'Amniotic fluid volume and protein concentration in rhesus sensitized women.' *J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw.* 1968 Jul;75(7):732-6. In obstetrics he studied the potential role of amnioscopy and his findings were published as 'A retrospective analysis of stillbirths in relation to the indications for amnioscopy.' *J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw*. 1968 Aug;75(8):816-8. He was also co-author of a paper resulting from research into the effects of pregnancy duration on the fetus and neonate - 'A biochemical comparison of the mature and postmature fetus and newborn infant.' *J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw*. 1970 May;77(5):390-7. It is a testament to the regard in which he was held in the hospital that he had a substantial following of staff who sought his professional counsel and care. He was an enthusiastic teacher of doctors, midwives and medical students, and was generous in his support of colleagues. As the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' regional adviser for for the north west Thames region his diplomacy was much valued on visits to units where guidance and encouragement were needed to foster cohesive working relationships. Throughout his life, Mike had a great love of music, mainly classical, attending concerts and the opera whenever an opportunity presented itself. He was a talented pianist and enjoyed singing, and as a consequence a small choral group evolved, which met at his home on a weekly basis and gave the occasional concert. He was a dedicated bridge player and also taught the intricacies of the game to others with proceeds donated to the Princess Alice Hospice, Esher, for which he also volunteered as a driver. Mike's elder daughter, Heather, became a professional bridge player, representing England and winning countless honours. His younger daughter, Catherine, pursued a medical career and followed her paternal grandfather by becoming a general practitioner. His son, Peter, is UK finance director for the United Parcel Service. Mike revelled in his family, delighted in playing games with his children and grandchildren, and was renowned for his enthusiasm for long and challenging country walks in which all were required to participate. Michael Dunstan was a much respected obstetrician and gynaecologist with an unstinting commitment throughout his career to his patients and colleagues, the West Middlesex University Hospital and the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists.

Rights
Copyright (c) The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Collection
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows

Format
Obituary

Format
Asset

Asset Path
Root/Lives of the Fellows/E008000-E008999/E008000-E008099

URL for File
380260

Media Type
Unknown