Anthony Eisinger: innovative nephrologist who established a centre of excellence in renal medicine

bmj;384/jan26_2/q190/FAF1faGrandees from the then regional health authority, the Renal Association, central government, and the Department of Health repeatedly descended on St Helier District General Hospital, Surrey, to question the wisdom of siting renal services in “a back water, falling down” hospital. St Helier was, unquestionably, an unlikely location for the centre of excellence it was to become.Fired by his vision of a pioneering unit, Anthony Eisinger robustly saw off the men from Whitehall. Michael Bending, who became number two to Eisinger, recalled: “Time and time again Anthony sent them packing, using his consummate political skills. It was awesome to watch his political wisdom as a junior colleague.” Eisinger was credited with “overawing” intelligence.After working in Southampton and Sheffield, he narrowly missed a consultancy at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, in 1970. By way of consolation, he joined St Helier in 1971 as the sole nephrologist—and possibly the youngest NHS consultant.“Father of…
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