17 Sep 2002 | 3 mins

Dr James George Duncan

James George Duncan was born in Cluny, Aberdeenshire, into a well known farming family. His early education was at the local school followed by Aberdeen Academy. Disliking the cruelty of animal slaughter at that time, James was against a career in farming. His determination soon became apparent and he opted to study medicine at Aberdeen University.

14 May 1922 to 17 September 2002

Following a condensed war time medical curriculum, James qualified in 1945, and took up a surgical residency in Middlesborough before joining the RAF as a national service medical officer. After two years service in India, he returned to Aberdeen in 1948 at the start of the NHS. At this stage he elected to take up radiology, joining the highly successful and innovative training course in Edinburgh. He held one of the first paid trainee NHS appointments. Successfully completing the course, James was among the first in the UK to pass the Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists (later the Royal College of Radiologists. Hard working and highly regarded, in 1956 he was appointed Consultant Radiologist to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. There he made an enormous contribution in the new field of angiography and also helped to develop the successful training course which has produced so many Scottish radiologists of distinction.

In October 1967, James accepted invitations to present his work at both Yale and Harvard Universities. As a result of these presentations, he was invited to be a Visiting Professor of Radiology in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York, gaining valuable experience of North American radiology, already well ahead of this country.

Returning to Scotland in 1969, James was appointed as Consultant Radiologist in Administrative Charge to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. There, with his North American experience, he oversaw the beginnings of rapid change in the field of clinical radiology, and transformed radiology at the Royal Infirmary. From having been a basic X-ray service, he quickly saw the potential of cross-sectional imaging and was one of its early exponents. He established a general ultrasound service, leading to much collaborative work with Professor L H Blumgart and innovative studies on biliary and pancreatic imaging. He raised the profile of the speciality and his department further in 1978 with the installation of Scotland's first whole-body CT scanner. Although late in his career, he embraced this novel and modern technology, playing a major role in providing a CT service to the Royal Infirmary, to Glasgow and to Scotland.

James developed strong links with radiology in Sri Lanka. Many Sri Lankan radiologists came over for training under his leadership, leading either to prestigious or professorial posts in Sri Lanka or to consultant posts in England. For this they all held him in the highest regard.

Radiology was now entering its golden age and was becoming very expensive, but there was not enough gold, leading inevitably to serious competition and conflict for funding. Even with his rather shy and quiet demeanour, James was involved in many important and influential committees, where his dogged determination frequently won the argument to obtain resources for his department. Despite all the politics he was a hard worker and often could be seen with sleeves rolled up, carrying large bundles of films to report.

In 1982, after years of planning, he oversaw the successful move of the radiology department from its home of over 70 years to a new purpose-built department in the new Queen Elizabeth Building. Together with Jim Forrest, the Superintendent Radiographer, he had been responsible for planning the layout and equipment of the new department. That department continues to function well to-day, still much along the same lines that they had planned.

Much committed and respected, James was a member of both the prestigious Radiology Visiting Club and The Shadows, a Council member of the Royal College of Radiologists and a strong supporter of the Scottish Radiology Society, serving both as Honorary Secretary and President. In his retirement James kept a close interest in his old department, returning in 1996 for the centenary celebration and later to open the new helical CT scanner.

Outside radiology, he enjoyed caravanning, boating, classical music and good wine. He shared these interests with Doris, his wife and match of over 50 years. He is survived by Doris, together with Jacqueline and grandchildren Ben and Lewis.

Dr James George Duncan, born 14th May 1922 in Cluny, Aberdeenshire; qualified in medicine in 1945 at Aberdeen University; Consultant Radiologist in administrative charge, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 1969 - 1985; died Edinburgh September 2002.

Memoir authors: Allan W Reid, J K 'Jake' Davidson