Tribute to caring doctor admired by his patients
Dr David Pemberton
The death occurred recently of Dr David Pemberton, former psychiatrist at Bellsdyke Hospital and Forth Valley.
Dr Pemberton was born in Devon, brought up in South Yorkshire and was educated in High Storrs Grammar School for Boys in Sheffield.
He studied Medicine at Edinburgh University, gaining many distinctions, and qualified in 1961.
He completed his Pre Registration Year at Leith Hospital and Roslynlee Hospital. He commenced his Psychiatric Training at the Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries and completed it in the Birmingham Scheme at Shelton Hospital, Shrewsbury.
He was a Foundation Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
He was appointed consultant psychiatrist at Bellsdyke Hospital, Larbert in 1970 with outpatient clinics at Stirling Royal Infirmary and Denny Health Centre.
He was innovative in establishing a psychiatric clinic at the newly opened Stirling University allowing many students with mental health problems to continue their courses and complete their studies. He was active in promoting a Community Psychology Service and also the opening of the first psychiatric day hospital in the Forth Valley in 1988.
For many years he was chairman of the Central Scotland Council on Alcoholism.
As well as these clinical roles he was actively involved in management.
He was the chairman of the Division of Adult Psychiatry in Forth Valley and was an efficient, hardworking and popular unit medical manager at Bellsdyke Hospital.
He was an exemplary psychiatrist and cared deeply for his patients.
He enjoyed teaching and passing on his knowledge and experience to junior doctors, GPs in training, nurses and paramedical staff. His patients held him in high regard and spoke of him with affection long after he had retired in 1994.
He was a good colleague and friend.
In his retirement he pursued his interests in exquisite model shipbuilding, fishing, gardening and travel.
He loved his dogs and was often seen with other dog owners enjoying walks around the Dunblane area, having deep philosophical conversations and solving the world’s problems.
He is survived by his wife Moira and their combined five children and seven grandchildren.
He is sadly missed.
Dr Mary T Higgins