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In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' topped the Christmas charts and the Bond movie Moonraker was filling cinemas.

In the year's other news, a newly-graduated Martyn Parker stepped out of Birmingham Medical School, beginning what would become an extraordinary 45-year career in trauma and orthopaedic surgery.

Dr Parker joined the then Peterborough District Hospital in 1989 as a research registrar fellow, later becoming an Associate Specialist in 1994 and a consultant in 2011.

Before his retirement earlier this year, he had completed more than 8,000 hip fracture operations - and has spent many years researching and developing new techniques to try to improve outcomes for patients. 

This has included helping to design a new screw in fixing hip fractures, designed to offer a more secure and stronger fixation - enabling patients to heal quicker. The implant is one which is now marketed around the world. 

Dr Parker has now been honoured for his unwavering dedication and care with a Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare award.

The Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon has been a key player in the Peterborough Hip Fracture Project, the aim of which was to streamline the management of hip fracture patients through their hospital stay to free up elective beds. 

The team established Peterborough as a beacon for hip fracture management and Dr Parker found a lifelong interest in this specialty. 

Through his leadership, the average length of stay of hip fracture patients almost halved from 51 days to 23, early mobilisation was championed and the innovative Hospital at Home model was launched, changing the recovery pathway for hip fracture patients. 

Nominated by the whole trauma and orthopaedic team for his incredible dedication to the service and thousands of patients, Dr Parker was recently presented with the honour.

The Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare award celebrates an individual who has gone above and beyond in their job role and always works to the highest quality. 

Dr Parker was reunited with Trust colleagues at the recent North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's Outstanding Achievement Awards at Peterborough Cathedral, when he was presented with his accolade.

Throughout his career, Dr Parker has remained at the forefront of hip fracture research and is a known authority on hip fracture surgery - as a key speaker at national and international forums and is well published through articles and reviews.

Sue Drake, Orthopaedic Trauma Practitioner said: “It has been a pleasure and privilege to know and work with Martyn, an exceptional and unique colleague.

 

“He has the patients at the heart of what he does. He would often be down in the department getting the patients ready and would wheel the up to theatres himself because he didn't want to delay them.”

She added: “I will miss his wisdom and humour and the secret, emergency stash of chocolate, but wish him a long and happy retirement.”

 

Also shortlisted in this category were:

-       Denise Rich - Children's Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Peterborough City Hospital.

-       Kim Lewis, Critical Care Outreach Practitioner, cross site

-       June Dean. Radiotherapy Service Manager, Peterborough City Hospital.

 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Martyn Parker - honoured for a Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's Outstanding Achievement Awards - receives his award from Bev Shears, Trust Deputy Chair and with fellow nominees Denise Rich, Kim Lewis and June Dean.