ABSTRACT
Sir Donald Donald Hamilton Irvine was born into a medical family. His father, Andrew Bell Hamilton Irvine, was a single-handed general practitioner in Ashington and was a founder member of the College. Sir Donald joined the College as an associate member in 1964, becoming a full member in 1965. Sir Donald, whilst juggling the demands of a young family and a busy practice, completed his Doctor of Medicine thesis on factors influencing the prevalence of cervical spondylosis in a general practice. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1979 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1986 for services to general practice, and was knighted in 1994 for services to medical ethics. In conclusion, Sir Donald’s considerable contribution to developing quality and professionalism in general practice is best summed up in this statement: Patients want doctors who are technically excellent, honest and reliable, and who respect them and make them feel special.
