TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Warrington’s most prominent GPs who has died at the age of 78.
Dr Graham Smith worked in hospitals and the community for several decades. He began his career at Ormskirk Hospital, later moving to Warrington Infirmary. He became a GP at Bold Street Surgery where he became senior partner. He was then instrumental in the creation of Guardian Street Surgery, building the practice from scratch with his GP partners and health centre colleagues.
He was at the forefront of changes in community health, with the surgery offering services beyond the norm, like dermatology, dietician and physiotherapy on site. He was also named GP for cadets at Bruche Police Training Centre and, after retirement, continued as a locum in Newton le Willows.
Dr Smith was born in Norwich and went to Wymondham College. He graduated in Medicine at the University of Liverpool where he met his first wife, Dr Vicki Smith, and they moved to Warrington where their daughter and son were born.
He met his second wife Brenda at Bold Street Surgery and they were married in St Lucia, cementing his love of worldwide travel and food. Outside work he was a keen fisherman and wildlife photographer, Rugby Union fan, and avid watcher of motorsports. During the 1970s he was also medical officer at Oulton Park race track, as well as unofficial medical backup at equestrian events, supporting his rider daughter Holly.
Alison Lowe was a practice nurse, working alongside Dr Smith. She said: “He was a kind and patient doctor with a lovely bedside manner, respected and loved by his patients and staff.”
Holly said: “I’m so proud of the impact my dad had on the people of Warrington. When he was in hospital himself, strangers came up to him to tell him he’d save their baby’s life with an early meningitis diagnosis. Another recognised him and said he’d fixed his back. He was obviously loved by his patients – even coming home with pheasants as gifts after he mentioned he liked them!”
Dr Smith died of cardiac failure and leaves two children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.
