Emeritus Consultants Biographies

Kenneth Duncan FITCH, AM University of Adelaide MB BS (Adelaide) 1955 MD (UWA) 1975. FRACGP 1968 FACSP 1989. FACRM 1990 Consultant in Sports Medicine

Ken Fitch was born in Subiaco in 1932 the son of Harry Duncan Fitch, a pharmacist and Edna Cecily nee Cohen.  He received his early medical education in Adelaide there being no medical faculty in Perth at the time.  During vacations in his medical course he was employed by the Royal Perth Hospital as a pharmacy assistant.

As a Subiaco General Practitioner he became interested in health programmes particularly those related to sports.  He established in 1969 (with the late Sir George Bedbrook) a sports and soft tissue injury clinic which he headed until July 2001.

For forty years Ken has played a leading role in sports medicine.  From the Olympic games of 1972 onwards he has served as a physician and from 1975 to 1984 he was the Chief physician at the Games.  He established National Sports medicine courses for doctors in 1981 and also commenced swimming classes for asthma sufferers in 1971.  His extensive knowledge led to his appointment by the University as Adjunct Professor in the department of Human Movement and Exercise Science in 1993.

He has always been to the fore in relation to the well being of Athletes as shown by his involvement in no less than 12 Olympic Games.

Ken has written extensively on Sports Medicine, illustrated by more than 58 articles in preferred journals, 28 book chapters and has been editor of seven books.

His work has been recognised in a number of ways - he was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1979 and was named WA Citizen of the Year (Sport) in 1998.  His interest in sport seems unending for he is currently the inaugural medical co-coordinator for the West Coast Eagles.

Ken married Valerie June Philpot (a RPH nurse from 1951-57) in 1967 and they have a family of five, four daughters and a son.  Amongst these there is now a psychiatrist, two physiotherapists and one occupational therapist.

Outside the above activities, Ken enjoys swimming and golf.

Ken Fitch retired from the Royal Perth Hospital in September 2001 and was appointed Emeritus Consultant in Sports Medicine.