A Belfast-born cardiologist who played a key role in transforming the treatment of heart conditions, has been remembered for his courage and pioneering work which helped put “Belfast on the map”.
Dr John Geddes passed away peacefully in Florida on October 9,but his work in Northern Ireland more than half a century ago is still remembered as significant.
In 1969, while still a young medic, Dr Geddes carried out the first operation to implant a cardiac pacemaker in Northern Ireland.
The small inserted surgically device which assists in regulating a patient’s heartbeat is now common for the treatment of certain heart conditions.
Along with the renowned cardiologist Dr Frank Pantridge, Dr Geddes helped to develop the world’s first portable defibrillator. Together they were also a part of the team that would develop the first mobile coronary care unit.
The mobile coronary care unit enabled coronary care to be provided on the move, raising the changes of survival and transforming the treatment for heart conditions.
The first portable defibrillator and mobile coronary care unit was initially deployed in Belfast in January 1966. It proved to be very successful, ultimately being rolled out across the world. The medical appliance has since gone on to save many lives.
Dr Partridge, who died in 2004, later acknowledged the significant contribution Dr Geddes made to the organisation and establishment of in-hospital resuscitation and the mobile cardiac care service, saying: “These might not have come about if Dr John Geddes, now in Canada alas, had not been in the Cardiac Department of the Royal Victoria Hospital from 1964 to 1967.”
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Samuel Webb, who worked closely with Dr Geddes in the Royal’s cardiac unit, recalled: “He was rather soft spoken. He was very focused and very determined to get the job done.
“He was a good organiser, courageous and prepared to try new things. He worked closely with Frank Partridge, the two were symbiotic in a way.”
Born in Belfast in 1939 just months before the outbreak of the World War II, he was educated at Campbell College and Queen’s University Belfast.
Writing in a medical journal, cardiologist Dr Norman Patton recalled Dr Geddes’ contribution to healthcare: “He won multiple medals as an undergraduate and received his medical degree in 1963. He was a house officer in the Royal Victoria Hospital from 1964 to 1966, a registrar and senior registrar from 1967 to 1971.”
In the latter part of his career Dr Geddes continued working to develop his discipline.
From 1996 to 1997 he spent time in Sydney, Australia working in the Qantas Airline programme researching the impact of cardiac defibrillators being carried on board.
The airline went on to be one of the first to introduce defibrillators on all of its flights.
Dr Geddes’ research on clinical cardiology and electrophysiology was published in various medical journals throughout his career.
His final book The Evolution of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Belfast and Beyond was launched in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia House of Parliament gave him a standing ovation for his work.
His wife Florence said: “John was invited by world famous medical centres to give talks and lectures on his cardiology work and the history of Belfast’s mobile intensive unit cardiac ambulance.
“This great achievement of the Geddes-Pantridge ambulance put Belfast on the world map in a good way and John was proud of that.
“The standing ovation which he received in the Nova Scotia House of Parliament brought a tear to my eye.
“He loved to play golf when he retired here in Florida. Photography was also his great passion. His colleagues were always pleased when he sent them photographs that he had taken of the amazing Florida wildlife.
“He was liked and highly respected by his colleagues and patients and he was a wonderful loving husband and father to our two sons Stephen and Johnny.”
News Catch Up: Monday 21st October