Memories of Donal Joseph O'Donoghue | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Donal Joseph O'Donoghue

Manchester, UK

August 15, 1956 - January 3, 2021

Aug 15, 1956 - Jan 3, 2021

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Russell Roberts

I am still in a state of shock and disbelief that we have lost Donal so cruelly and prematurely. I feel that I have known him twice professionally. Firstly when I was a new renal consultant just across the Pennines from him, I and my colleagues always found him to be a tremendously supportive colleague and always interested in what we were up to despite his rising workload and national profile. More recently since he became the RCP Registrar it has been a real joy to work closely with him as part of the RCP Global team and again to note that he always found time and energy to be interested in everybody. There is a lovely video posted by the RCP of him answering a series of questions about himself, some more serious than others and without any hesitation when asked about a cause that is important to him, he replies 'treating people fairly...' (for those interested Man U does feature but as 'the vice I can't give up'). Thanks Donal , an inspiration to so many of us.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Bev Matthews

Marie O'Donoghue

Alastair Hutchison

1989, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK

I joined MRI as a research fellow to Ram Gokal in 1989, at which time Donal was a registrar there working with Francis Ballardie on IgA nephropathy. I was impressed by his publication record even at that early stage of his career (particularly a seminal letter to the editor on 'Spoon player's tibia - Arthritis & Rheumatology 1984!?). I was equally impressed that some while later he confidently set off to Paris as an MRC Travelling Fellow, returning to Manchester and taking up the new consultant post in Salford with Steve Waldeck. From there he prospered in both renal medicine and politics, both of which stood him in good stead for what was to come. He gradually built the Salford Renal Unit from a single-handed unit (Steve W.) to be the envy of MRI - how COULD they fund so many consultants!? Around the Millennium I found myself as CD in the MRI renal unit and Donal had started on a plan to develop a clinical network across Greater Manchester. Working with him on this I learned an immense amount about the machinations of the NHS and how to build a service from the ground up. Perseverance was a major part of his armamentarium which was absolutely necessary as the PCTs were rather slow to respond, but over the next 10 years the deficiencies in Greater Manchester's renal provision were fully rectified thanks to Donal's vision and determination. Subsequently he achieved many other great successes both medically and politically, but to me the long term beneficial consequences for so many kidney patients, resulting from his vision and drive, will always inspire and live with me.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Bev Matthews

Henry Brown

Frances Elmslie

I came to know Donal only recently in his role as RCP Registrar through the Medical Specialties Board. He was hugely supportive of the clinical genetics profession and always generous with his time and expertise. No request for help was too trivial and he always delivered, despite his busy life. My heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues who I know will feel his loss deeply.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Colin Baigent

I was very shocked to hear of Donal's passing. He was very kind to me when I was starting off in renal research - always happy to listen, to advise, to teach, and a delight to be with. I had recently been in touch with him about dialysis patients being given highest priority for COVID vaccination - and he was just the same Donal as I had known in the more distant past - determined to do the right thing, but with a healthy dose of political savvy to go with it. I consider it a great privilege to have known him - and send my deepest condolences to his wife and family.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Simon Gibson

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Donal. He was a great man in every aspect of his life. My heartfelt sympathy to his family. I remember him when he was an SpR. And I was Consultant Physician and Nephrologist at Royal Preston Hospital.
He went on to do much great work: he managed to combine clinical work with great managerial skill.
He has been robbed of his retirement. I continue to enjoy mine.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Kathryn Mills-Webb

Shared a heart

Graham Lipkin & Renal Community

We are deeply saddened to hear of Donal’s passing due to COVID-19.

Professor Donal O’Donoghue’s influence and impact in caring for kidney patients will be a lasting legacy. Many nurses will know of Donal having spent more than 30 years working to improve the care of people with kidney disease. He was a true advocate and inspiration to so many.

On behalf of myself and my colleagues at the Royal College of Nursing, I would like to pass on our very sincere condolences. Our thoughts and sympathies also go to his wife, their three children and four grandchildren.

Yours in sympathy,

Dame Donna Kinnair
Chief Executive & General Secretary
Royal College of Nursing

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Gill Manning

Kathryn Mills-Webb

Bev Matthews

Nasreen Syeda

My deepest condolences are with Donal's family. My team and I had the privilege of working with Donal at the RCP as our registrar and what stood out was that he always had the time to say 'thank you' and how he made everyone feel valued and appreciated. He was a true professional, so warm and kind, and we will really miss him dearly

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Mark Caulfield

Donal is an incredible force for good in medicine. I say "is" because Donal lives on in his contribution to British and Global Medicine through his work as National Director in the NHS, in Manchester and at the RCP where he has changed lives and outcomes. Specifically, his gentle, thoughtful but determined approach to renal denervation from the Renal Association helped me achieve a UK Joint Societies Consensus. My sincere condolences to Donal's family, friends and colleagues. He made medicine better and because of this he is still amongst us with his transformative work as his legacy.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Marie O'Donoghue

Bernard Keavney

I was privileged to work with Donal in the Manchester academic health science centre. Alongside Donal's many clinical and scientific achievements, he was an incredibly wise and passionate health system leader. Sincerest condolences to Donal's family and friends.

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Marie O'Donoghue

Janet Legget-Jones

I have worked closely with Donal on many projects in my 2 years at RCP and I just can't believe he will not be here anymore.
He was one of those truly good men who always was looking at how he could help others - I saw that in his work at the RCP for his fellow doctors and trainees. he treated everyone equally and with respect, was full of brilliant ideas and always had a sense of humour.
My last words to him was a plea for him to stop work and let others look after him - "we have got this Donal" with a smiley emoji - and he sent a laughing emoji back. That just sums up the man .
My thoughts are for his family and I will miss him so much

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Kathryn Mills-Webb

Bev Matthews

Lucy Wright

Shared a heart

Gavin Dreyer

Just devastated by the loss of one of the passionate doctors I have ever known. He always had time for me, believed in me and supported me. One of the most flattering moments of my career was when he asked me to represent him at an NHS E meeting on some work we had been doing. His work for the ISN as an advocate for global kidney care demonstrates the depth of his compassion for those less fortunate in the world who live with kidney disease. Donal we are gutted you have left us.

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Lorraine Oldridge

I worked with Donal many years ago now in his role as NHS England National Clinical Director and with the Academic Health Science Network. Although this was some time ago now he left a lasting impression so I was so very sad to hear of the news. I always admired his drive and commitment to the renal community and when ever I met with him he always took the time to personally welcome me and others and acknowledge our contribution with real charm and humour. My sincere condolences to his family at such a difficult time.

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Bev Matthews

Stephanie Lock

I worked with Donal in his role as trustee of the Renal Association.
Donal was truly inclusive, he always took the time to listen and was someone I greatly respected. He was an inspiration to many. He will be missed.

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Graham Lipkin & Renal Community

Charlie Tomson

I'm knocked sideways by Donal's untimely death. We'd known each other since Senior Registrar club days, and he was always one to watch! We worked most closely together during his time as National Clinical Director, when I was involved with the UK Renal Registry. Others on this page have paid tribute to his warmth, compassion, commitment to patient-centred care, concern and care for colleagues in all disciplines, and commitment to the NHS, and to his knowledge base. For me, he stood out also by being willing and able to bridge the senseless divide and distrust that often existed (and still does) between 'clinicians' and 'managers', including policy-makers. I had the privilege of watching him at work in the Department of Health Renal Advisory Group, working tirelessly to ensure that kidney care was on the agenda at the DH whenever possible, using Registry data and other sources to press the case for better provision and organisation of care. Through NHS Kidney Care, he funded the first 'Green Nephrology Fellow', and hence helped kick-start a real commitment to sustainability in kidney care. Thanks, Donal, for all you did.

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Frances Mortimer

Bev Matthews

Alice Smith

Kerry Woodward

Shared a heart

David Jayne

Donal was one of the most popular and effective members of the renal community and a good friend. We interacted at many different stages during our careers and his advice and support was always valued and important. I particularly remember a trip Donal made to Cambridge as a research fellow, sitting in the sunshine outside a country pub discussing careers. What he subsequently achieved was immense and I regret no longer having the opportunity to resume the conversation.

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Kerry Woodward

Professor Donal O’Donoghue was my renal doctor at Salford Royal hospital. He cared dearly for his patients and will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family, work colleagues and friends x

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Marie O'Donoghue

Peter Rowe

I have known Donal since we were research registrar's - albeit not in the same unit. We were both closely involved in the former SR club and he has always been a personal friend as well as a colleague. We have shared many discussions around both research in nephrology and clinical management in medicine - a
shared interest. I can remember many convivial evenings around a piano after SR club meetings and indeed in many other places in the world during our consultant careers. I was shocked and saddened by his untimely death, as I am sure, as is everyone else I have spoken to, that he had much more to contribute both to the renal community and the College. He was a trusted, highly intelligent and also practical man, who will be sorely missed.....

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Craig Gradden

Along with many others, I have benefited from Donal's clinical knowledge and leadership approach and skills, and immensely enjoyed his company on a number of social evenings at the end of meetings and conferences (usually over a couple of drinks!). He will be greatly missed as a clinician, and a leader, as well as on a more personal level by others who had the privilege of knowing him rather better than myself.

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Anthony Hayman

Professor O'Donoghue was my consultant for around 10 years before I settled in London. I came to Professor O'Donoghue in my early 20s, quite scared having received very impersonal and often dismissive care from another consultant and with my health in a mess.

During my first consultation with Professor O'Donoghue I was struck by his attentiveness and patience as he carefully listened and responded to all of my concerns. He went on to change my drug regimen which meant that I was able to live a normal life when I was previously relapsing every few months. I really feel that I owe Professor O'Donoghue a lot in terms of enabling me to build my career and be well enough to have a family.

My condition is chronic and I'm still on treatment so I've been on the shielding list. I reached out to Professor O'Donoghue a few months ago to see whether he had a view on my risk level. I wondered whether he'd remember me - he had many patients and a busy life of course. He absolutely did and we spent 45 minutes catching up. I was embarrassed to take up so much of his time but he assured me that he was very happy to chat.

Medical care is about making the right clinical decisions of course but patient manner is also SO important when it comes to allowing a patient to understand their situation and how best to deal with it. Professor O'Donoghue was wonderful in this respect. He had a natural warmth and reassuring presence - I am sure he will be missed by many. My condolonces to his family.

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Frances Mortimer

Marie O'Donoghue

Fiona Loud

2013, Houses of Parliament, Bridge Street, London, UK

Donal at World Kidney Day

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Frances Mortimer

Bev Matthews

Comments:

Fiona Loud

A loss to so many of us, a friend and a colleague who I have had the privilege of knowing for nearly 20 years.... Read more A loss to so many of us, a friend and a colleague who I have had the privilege of knowing for nearly 20 years. This is Donal talking... Read more A loss to so many of us, a friend and a colleague who... Read more

Adeera Levin

Dear Donal,
I am sorry that we will not share stories, good wine, food and thoughts and ideas about how to improve the care of people living with kidney disease.
Thank you for all your kindness, your mentorship, your support and for all you have done for generations of people living with kidney disease, and their care providers. Doctors, nurses, dieticians and administrators have all benefited from your thoughtful advice and actions to bring the team together.
You have been tireless in advocacy and policy arenas, whilst always staying firmly grounded in the patient story.
Thank you for all you have taught me, and us, about staying focused. Thank you also for all the laughter, the great humour, and always being up for a drink, no matter what time it was, or what time some of us were coming in from places afar.
You will be missed by many, for all sorts of reasons. My thoughts go to your wife, children and grandchildren, who certainly lost you too soon. Whilst we only shared a few days here and there over the years, at professional conferences and meetings, I certainly considered you a friend more than just a colleague. I will miss you.
Rest peacefully, knowing you have done so much for so many. Thank you

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Fiona Loud

Bev Matthews

Marie O'Donoghue

Comments:

Martin Bexon

I can only echo every sentiment expressed here. It was a pleasure and honour to know and work with such an... Read more I can only echo every sentiment expressed here. It was a pleasure and honour to know and work with such an exceptional person.... Read more I can only echo every sentiment expressed here. It ... Read more

Ofrah Muflahi

I am at a loss for words during this sad time. It has been an absolute honor to work alongside Donal as a Trustee for Kidney Care UK. He interviewed me and I knew then I wanted to work alongside him. He also knew of my own personal worries with my mother who herself has lived with kidney disease, he always asked about her and was compassionate to the core. A person of integrity who demonstrated inclusive leadership everyday for "all". My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, please know that Donal touched so many lives and there are so many who owe a great deal to him ..his legacy lives on..

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Bev Matthews

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Created with love by Graham Lipkin & Renal Community (Donal's coworker).

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