PERIPHERAL NERVE INJURY

An interview with Professor Rolfe Birch MChir, FRCS

Born in London and educated at Goldbeater Primary, Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Hampstead, Professor Birch went on to study at Cambridge University and St George’s Hospital. After five years in accident and general surgery, he joined St Georges and the South West London Orthopaedic training scheme.

Developing an interest in nerves and muscles during his years in Cambridge studying for the Natural Sciences Tripos his interest in nerve repair was generously supported by all the consultants on the training scheme.

Professor Birch was appointed to the Staff of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1979, alongside George Bonney and also to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital alongside Donal Brooks. He was Consultant-in-Charge of the Accident and Emergency Department of St Mary’s for four years and continued to direct the fracture service until 1991 before transferring to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital full time. He was appointed as Honorary Civilian Consultant to the Royal Navy in 1984, and established the War Nerve Injury Clinic at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, in 2007.

He is the author or co-author of over 100 publications including the 1st edition of Surgical Disorders of the Peripheral Nerves (1998) with George Bonney and Christopher Wynn Parry. The 2nd edition appeared in 2011.

Current posts held

Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics at University College London

The interview

Professor Birch spoke to Geoff Marsh about his distinguished career and his work on peripheral nerve injury.

If you you cannot see the Soundcloud player above then please use these direct links"

Professor Rolfe Birch - part one (mp3, 9.5mb)
Professor Rolfe Birch - part two (mp3, 10.5mb)

UCL DIVISION OF SURGERY AND INTERVENTIONAL SCIENCE

Institute of Orthopaedics