Chief veterinary surgeon worked 56 years at The Blue Cross

In early 2009, The Blue Cross received the sad news that former chief veterinary surgeon, Patrick Quigley, had passed away. During his 56 years at The Blue Cross, Pat helped a phenomenal number of animals and will be remembered with great fondness by all.

Pat was one of a threesome, with the secretary and the general manager, who led the Blue Cross through the austerity of the immediate post-war years into the relative prosperity of the 1980s.

As Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Pat had overall responsibility for all aspects of the veterinary services at Blue Cross hospitals, small animal adoption centres and equine centres. It is, however, for his considerable advancement of the veterinary work, particularly at the main Victoria Hospital, that he will be principally remembered.

Pat was born in 1920 in Glasgow and his interest in animals arose from visits to farms during holidays in Ireland. He studied veterinary medicine at the Glasgow Veterinary College from 1937-1942 and was a medallist in biology and parasitology, perhaps an early indication of a bias towards academia.

From 1942-48 he worked in general practice, but always had an interest in animal charity and The Blue Cross. Thus, when the position of veterinary surgeon, based at The Blue Cross Victoria hospital in London became vacant in 1948, he took the job.

The hospital building, previously the stables for the Duke of Westminster’s estate, was little changed from its original state.  Equipment and medicines were basic, even for that time – there was no X-ray machine and facilities for surgery were minimal. For sometime Pat was also called on to treat London’s working horses and donkeys, in addition to small animals.

Pat was, however, well aware of developments in small animal medicine in the UK, the USA and elsewhere, and was eager to implement the most up to date scientific approach to diagnosis and treatment at the Blue Cross hospitals. He established connections with the Cambridge Veterinary School and the RVC. As a result he was able to develop his knowledge, and he instituted significant improvements. By 1961 a full modernisation of the Victoria hospital was completed, including purpose built surgical, autoclave, radiography and laboratory facilities. By the 1970s Pat and his team were successfully undertaking techniques, advanced for their time.
 
In the 1960s Pat also added histopathology to the Blue Cross clinical pathology service, and in the ensuing years expanded the laboratory facilities and increased the number of technical staff.  In 1967 he began attending the histopathology slide reading sessions at the RVC with Professor Cotchin, and in 1969 he was accepted onto the inaugural MSc Veterinary Pathology course, being awarded his degree in 1970. During his long career, Pat published a number of papers, particularly on pathology, in conjunction with his medical colleagues and others.

In 1986 Pat retired as chief veterinary surgeon to the Blue Cross, but continued as a part-time consultant until ill health finally forced his retirement in 2004 at the age of 84!

Pat will be remembered with great fondness by the many vets and nurses who worked at the Blue Cross during his 56 years as a mentor, colleague, and friend – and also as a narrator of stories of his past experiences, including hair-raising accounts of flying light aircraft, all told in the accents of the various players.

Pat contributed immensely to The Blue Cross and his hard work, time and passion for the charity will not be forgotten.