 |
|
Emeritus Consultants Biographies
Peter Hurst was born in Perth in 1930, the son of Francis William Hurst, a manufacturer, and Ruby Ellen (nee Stokes). He went to Adelaide University to study medicine and graduated in 1953. Following graduation he returned to Perth and was appointed Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Perth and Princess Margaret Hospitals. His career was undoubtedly influenced by a period as Resident to the Clinical Research Unit in 1955, for he became a Medical Registrar and then in 1957, Junior Assistant in the newly formed University Department of Medicine. In 1960 he took a Commonwealth Scholarship and went to work with Professor Rosenheim at University College Hospital, London for two years. Peter returned to Perth in 1963, and was appointed first as a Lecturer and then in 1964 Senior Lecturer, in the University Department of Medicine. A special interest in nephrology resulted in him taking study leave to work in Seattle as a Renal Fellow in the University Hospital under the distinguished renal physician Dr H.B. Scribner, who was a pioneer in the dialysis treatment of renal failure. On completion of his study leave Peter returned to Perth, and in 1973 was appointed Physician in Charge of the Renal Unit at the Royal Perth Hospital, a position he retained until 1987. From then until his retirement he held the position of physician (part time) with the Department of Nephrology. Peter is of a quiet, unassuming nature with a gentle smile that belies his considerable ability. His career covered a period which saw major developments in the care of patients with renal failure. Dialysis in varying forms was being used and in 1977 Peter, in collaboration with Professor Gwynne Brockis from the Department of Surgery, was acutely involved in the successful development of renal transplantation in Western Australia. He gave freely of his time to the Australian Kidney Foundation and in recognition of this was made an Honorary life member. Peter was also a member of a number of hospital committees and the Council of the Medical Defence Association. In 1955, Peter married Barbara Cumming and they have two daughters and two sons; the eldest daughter took up a career in nursing. His interests in earlier years were cricket, photography and the growing of native plants. Peter retired in 1994 and was appointed an Emeritus Consultant Physician by the Board of Management. |
