Brian Taylor

In the words of his devoted wife, Pat, ‘Brian romped off. For him it was the best way—he was seeing a patient on the Wednesday, and died with pneumonia that Saturday. He couldn’t live without his patients’. Brian's comments following that last consultation were typical of him: ‘I don’t know if I helped that patient, but my goodness she helped me!’

Brian Taylor qualified at St Thomas's Hospital. He was a dedicated family doctor for 34 years in Earls Colne, Essex, and a founder member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Belonging to the generation of GPs who developed a range of skills, he was a qualified anaesthetist, studied psychological medicine, and provided a high standard of obstetric and minor surgery care to his patients.

His interest in patients was life-long. He wanted so much to understand their illness. This interest in why? And how? It was probably his open mind, and non-judgmental approach that enabled one of his patients to suggest that he learnt a little about homeopathy. He invited Brian to have a telephone conversation with Sir John Weir, the Queen's Homeopathic Physician, and then for tea, to meet a certain Dr Marjorie Blackie!

His interest kindled, Brian subsequently trained in homeopathy and acupuncture at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital during the 1970s. After leaving the NHS in 1981, he was locum consultant there for 3 years. He never retired, and practised integrated medicine privately until the last week of his life, always working towards his passion for it becoming more widely available within the NHS.

His interest in complementary therapies never replaced his knowledge and respect for conventional medicine. He had a conviction in both. He was able to take a pragmatic approach with the patients, helping them select the best from both worlds. He was a true physician. He listened and he heard.

He leaves his wife, Pat, three children and two grandsons.