23 Feb 2001 | 2 mins

Dr Ellis Barnett

Born on February 16 1922, son of eastern European immigrants, Ellis Barnett was the only one of their four children to go to University. After qualifying in 1945 at Anderson's Medical College in Glasgow, and service with the RAMC, he took up Radiology in London, becoming a Senior Registrar at the Hammersmith Hospital. In 1956 he returned to Glasgow as Consultant Radiologist to the Western Infirmary and the Royal Maternity Hospital, Rottenrow. Always a hard working, enthusiastic and progressive radiologist, Ellis quickly made his mark in developing the Barnett Nordin index for X-ray assessment of bone density in osteoporosis.

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15 February 1922 to 23 February 2001

In every sense Ellis Barnett is best remembered as a big man, large in stature with a very warm, amiable personality and unfailing good humour. His contribution to radiology and medical ultrasound was enormous. First involved at Rottenrow where he worked with Professor Ian Donald, that brilliant pioneer, he quickly became highly expert and a leader in the developing field of obstetric ultrasound. Later, with the introduction of ultrasound to the Radiology Department at the Western, Ellis Barnett, along with Pat Morley, made an enormous contribution - training many overseas radiologists and publishing many papers. Their textbook 'Clinical Diagnostic Ultrasound' was, for many years, a leading authority in this field, attracting many international visitors to the Western Infirmary. Being an excellent speaker himself, he was much in demand at home and overseas. To encourage junior staff he established, with the Royal College of Radiologists, the Ellis Barnett prize for the best medical ultrasound paper published in Clinical Radiology. Ellis played a leading role in the British Medical Ultrasound Society, of which he was a founder member, an early President and an Honorary member. Also much involved in training and education, Ellis was an Examiner and member of the Council of the Royal College of Radiologists, and an Honorary member of the Scottish Radiology Society Ellis indulged in a large and very successful private practice, firstly at Clifton Place, later at Langside Place and then in a group at the Nuffield and Bon Secours. Never at any time did this prejuduce his contribution to the hospital, NHS or academic radiology. With the opening of Gartnavel General Hospital Ellis Barnett was given administrative responsibility for the radiology department until his retirement. He was highly regarded by his clinical colleagues, extremely hard working and a delightful colleague.

Of equal importance was his enjoyment of life. He treasured his family life with his wife Mae, who sadly predeceased him, and was greatly loved by his daughter Elaine and his grandson David. He loved meeting people and was a past master and stalwart member of his Freemason Lodge. He will be remembered there as an accomplished after-dinner speaker and raconteur, and was in great demand as a public speaker. Ellis is best remembered for his outstanding contributions to radiology and medical ultrasound, his quiet unassuming manner and the quality and humour of his speeches.

Memoir author: JK (Jake) Davidson