Bio - Dr Claud Regnard

Born in London of French parents, he sensibly studied medicine in Scotland. His first choice of surgery was based solely on his ability to rebuild the engine and gearbox on a Morris 1100 and was not his best decision. Whilst training in general practice he came across a hospice in Dundee but was strongly advised in 1979 that there was little to learn from such places. Consequently, over four decades in palliative care medicine came as something of a surprise, let alone becoming the medical director of a hospice. 

Now clinically retired he is an honorary consultant at St. Oswald’s Hospice, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and maintains his interests in assessing distress in individuals with communication difficulties (www.disdat.org.uk ), helping others to understand the Mental Capacity Act and accessible learning such as CLiP (Current Learning in Palliative Care on www.clip.org.uk ). 

 In addition he tries to stay sane by playing the Northumbrian smallpipes and the bodhran drum with both a folk orchestra and a large ukulele group. He continues to learn, which means that either there is a great deal more to palliative care than his advisors thought, or that Dr. Regnard is a very slow learner.