A Lanarkshire physician has been posthumously awarded the prestigious William Cullen Prize for his outstanding contributions to patient care.
Dr Barry Vallance worked for NHS Lanarkshire from 1981 until his death in June 2024, as both a cardiologist and general physician, and latterly as part of the COVID Flow Navigation Team.
The prestigious award, which was presented to Dr Vallance’s family at the recent NHS Lanarkshire Staff Awards ceremony, is presented to doctors who have demonstrated excellence and exceptional levels of contribution to local service innovation.
Presenting the posthumous award, Professor Elder President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said: “Barry’s journey into medicine began at a young age, inspired by the medical textbooks of his uncle. His education at Hutchesons’ Grammar School paved the way for his studies at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated in 1973 and became an active member of the Beta Club, organising successful reunions that fostered community among peers.
“After graduation, Barry trained in various West of Scotland hospitals before specializing in cardiology under Professor Laurie at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. By 1981, at the age of 31, he became the youngest consultant physician and cardiologist in West of Scotland, marking the start of his impactful career at Hairmyres Hospital.
“There, Barry transformed the cardiology service, evolving it from a basic setup where patients conducted exercise tests in a cupboard to a modern facility offering echocardiograms, angiograms, and angioplasties. He pioneered the innovative practice of ambulance crews sending ECGs of patients experiencing heart attacks via fax, significantly improving emergency response times. This innovation led to the establishment of the first cardiac catheterization lab in Lanarkshire and a primary cardiac intervention service, saving thousands of lives and serving a population of 1.2 million people.
“In addition to his clinical contributions, Barry played a crucial role in developing the new University Hairmyres Hospital, which opened in 2001, and took on leadership roles, including Divisional Medical Director in 2007 and Chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Heart Disease to the Scottish Government in 2010. His expertise also extended internationally as a senior examiner for the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow.”
Barry’s legacy in cardiology is marked by his unwavering commitment to patient care and his remarkable contributions to medical practice, making a lasting impact on the healthcare community.
Dr Vanessa Vallance, a consultant anaesthetist at University Hospital Hairmyres, paid tribute to her father. She said: “My Dad had an incredible career, and gave so much to so many, then sadly only six months into retirement he was diagnosed with bowel cancer as a result of the national bowel screening programme. In typical Barry fashion he was determined not to let this beat him.
“He endured multiple operations, years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, never complaining once. Even at the hardest of times for him, he continued to leave others in awe of his strength, determination and wonderful outlook on life.
“It was with his family he was at his happiest. He loved his family holidays travelling the world. He learned to scuba dive attaining dive master accreditation alongside his son Colin, who he shared many passions with, especially sports cars. They also both had a love of flying and gained their private pilots’ licenses.
“His garden was also his great passion and he and Mum spent many hours planting and planning their garden. He was never a man to be idle, with the family joking he could never sit still.
“It is in his family, as well as in the many good deeds he has done through his life’s work, that he will live on as a great man, who made this world a better place, through his hard work and dedication to others. There can be no greater legacy than that.”
Barry leaves behind his wife Monica who he was married to for 45 happy years, his daughter Vanessa, a consultant anaesthetist in University Hairmyres Hospital and his son, Colin, who is a director of Audiology for Specsavers.
