Anaesthetist who helped establish the first ICU at the Western in Glasgow

Born: December 20, 1927;

Died: April 5, 2018

DR JAMES G Mone, known as Gerry, who has died at the age of 90, was a distinguished anaesthetist and pioneer of intensive care who helped to establish the first intensive care unit at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.

He was a member of a well-known Glasgow family. His father was a publican in Govan and his mother (nee Dunn) ran the family lemonade business when her brother William was serving in the First World War. Gerry was one of six children who all distinguished themselves in different ways including his brother, the late Bishop John Mone. Gerry attended Holyrood School and excelled academically and at football although by his own acknowledgement he was not as gifted a footballer as his brother Arthur.

He followed Arthur in to medicine, graduating from Glasgow University in 1950. After completing his residency, he spent two years in the Royal Army Medical Corps and then in general practice. He thereafter decided on a career in anaesthetics.

He effortlessly moved through the training grades until his appointment as a consultant at the Western Infirmary. He was interested in emergency and post operative care which brought him into contact with colleagues in other disciplines where his clinical competence and understanding approach endeared him to everyone.

He contributed to research, co-authoring publications on the management of key emergency situations. He was often involved in acute cases in unusual surroundings including the hospital hyperbaric chamber, ward side rooms and occasionally ambulances. All were accepted with calm equanimity.

In 1966, five beds were accommodated in two converted rooms to become the Infirmary’s first intensive care unit (ICU). The unit was led by James Kerr from Medicine, Gerry from Anaesthesia and Iain Ledingham from Surgery.

A close working relationship developed between medical and nursing staff, in no small measure due to Dr Mone's friendly, and supportive personality. The Phase I building at the Western Infirmary included a much-expanded and upgraded ICU. Dr Mone played an important role in its planning and development. In 1982 a highlight of the unit’s status was its selection for the care of Pope John Paul II during his visit to Glasgow.

Dr Mone was also at home in the operating theatre guiding patients through anaesthesia with skill and without fuss. Many consultants in anaesthesia in the West of Scotland trained under Dr Mone and without exception speak warmly of him. His ability and personality were appreciated by the many surgeons he worked with over three decades.

Dr Mone's warm, competent manner also brought confidence and comfort to patients and relatives. Although he had a large private practice he never stinted in his commitment to the NHS. He had heavy emergency on-call duties in the ICU, sat on many NHS advisory committees and was elected president of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Society of Anaesthetists in 1981.

However there was so much more to Dr Mone’s life. Golf was more than a pastime. It was a passion. He had a much admired rhythmic and stylish swing. In many ways this reflected the man. He was kindness personified except when it came to allocating strokes. If you did not have a handicap, he advised that no strokes could be allocated. He was a member of Cathkin Braes and then Pollok Golf Clubs and then The Glasgow Golf Club where he established lifelong friendships through the game.

Dr Mone was delightful company socially, loved to hear everyone’s news and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of local surgeons, anaesthetists and many physicians. Although his mobility was majorly restricted in later life, he was mentally sharp till the end. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Dr Mone will never forget his kindliness, endearing light-hearted charm and, at a personal level, his enduring loyalty as a friend. His personality was captured perfectly by his brother-in-law Professor Simon Keane at the funeral. He stated that Gerry was a most likeable person but unlike the rest of us he did not have to work at it. He was instantly likeable.

Dr Mone was devoted to his family. They were his greatest treasure. His wife Sheila died in 2003. He is survived by his daughters Jane and Sara and sons Simon and Michael, grandchildren and a great grandchild.

FRANK DUNN, IAIN LEDINGHAM, PETER WALLACE.