Founder of kidney unit retires after 40 years

Before Dr Maurice Jackson came to Wolverhampton, people suffering from kidney failure had to travel out of the city for treatment.

But thanks to his tireless efforts, a dedicated renal unit was established at New Cross Hospital.

Now, the consultant physician and nephrologist is retiring after three decades at the hospital. Dr Jackson helped set up the unit in 1987 with the help of charity donations via a campaign backed by the Express and Star.

He today admitted seeing the unit open was the highlight of his career. "When I first came to New Cross there were no renal patients being treated in Wolverhampton," he said. "Not long after we launched the campaign to raise money for a renal unit. The Express & Star went out on a limb to help us."

Dr Jackson, originally from Chandler's Ford near Southampton, qualified from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1972. He then worked at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth before joining New Cross in December 1981. He headed the hospital's Intensive Therapy Unit in 1986 at a time when it was due to close, and in 1987 was responsible for setting up the renal unit.

The campaign started in September 1986 to raise £80,000. In the space of six or seven months, the target was reached and the final total raised was around £150,000.

The renal unit was opened on April 6, 1987 by the late Jimmy Savile.

Dr Jackson said: "He charged us nothing to open the unit. He even ran a marathon for us and handed over £1,000 of his own money." The 66-year-old doctor held his final clinic last week. It was very emotional for me," he said: "Some of my colleagues have worked alongside me from the very start."

Grandfather-of-two Dr Jackson, who lives in Finchfield, said he would now be spending more time in his garden and on his two allotments.

David Loughton, chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, added: "Dr Jackson has made an immense contribution to healthcare for people of the Black Country over a long and distinguished career. He will be greatly missed for his specialist knowledge and statesmanship."