Dr Akhtar Hussain – Rest In Peace

Dr Hussain was born in Rasool Nagar, a town in the province of Punjab in Pakistan, moving to the city of Lahore for education when he was 11 years old. He qualified as Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Punjab in 1965, gaining his provisional registration with the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) later that same year, progressing to full registration in 1966. His first job was in Clatterbridge Hospital in the Children’s Department of the time. After working in many of the local children’s hospitals, he became a GP and took-over Teehey Lane Medical Centre from Dr Cohen in 1972. At the time, he was a single-handed GP both living and working from Teehey Lane, being on-call for his patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, sharing a rota with two other local GPs. He spent most of his working life dedicated to the service of his patients in Bebington, Port Sunlight and the surrounding areas.

He had an interest in paediatrics and completed the Diploma in Child Health, adding specialist children’s clinics to his practice to provide extra care for his youngest patients. He worked on the Geriatric wards at St Catherine’s Hospital and was one of the first doctors to cover the GP Out-Of-Hours service at Arrowe Park following it’s inception. He spent 15 years working as a Police Surgeon for Merseyside Police which would involve difficult and complicated forensic work in addition to his usual GP work.

Dr Hussain subsequently retired in 2014 for health reasons, having spent over 40 years working for the NHS, however remained a close friend and mentor to the practice and it’s new GPs. He could often be found sitting in the practice providing advice to those who had succeeded him or simply catching up with some of his old patients.

Dr Hussain is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren. He touched the lives of many generations of local families with his kindness, wisdom and warmth. While we mourn this loss, we recognise a life well-lived and the legacy he leaves behind on the Wirral. He will be greatly missed.

There will be a condolence book on the reception desk at the practice for anyone who may wish to leave a message, and we would be happy to pass any cards on to his family.