Kenneth McKee
Encyclopedia
George Kenneth McKee, known as Ken, was one of the pioneers of hip replacement surgery in the 1950s. He is now honoured with a bust at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
.
, Essex
, in 1906, attending Chigwell School
and then studying medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College
. He received his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
in 1934. He worked at the Sheffield Royal Hospital before being appointed consultant in orthopaedics at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) in 1939.
in 1939. He worked in Norwich
at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
(N&N), which he joined in 1939 as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, going on to pioneer primary hip replacements in the 1950s. According to Hugh Phillips
, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
2004–2005, "Ken McKee started experimenting with model hip joints in 1938, working with dentists and an engineering firm in Norwich to create the original brass mock-ups. He carried out his first primary hip replacement on a patient in 1951, before Sir John Charnley
perfected his own version."
He retired to Tacolneston
in the 1970s.
and three years later received an Honorary Doctorate of Science of Cambridge University. He was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of Medicine
in 1986.
In addition to a bronze bust cast by his daughter-in-law, the Belgian sculptor Myriam McKee, Ken McKee's work at the hospital is remembered with a residence block, McKee House, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
and a road, Kenneth McKee Plain, built on the former N&N site.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a National Health Service academic teaching hospital located on the off the A11 road and the Watton Road on the southern outskirts of Norwich, England....
.
Early life
Ken's father had been a medical practitioner in Northern Ireland in the late 19th century but had migrated to England around 1900. Ken was born in IlfordIlford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, in 1906, attending Chigwell School
Chigwell School
Chigwell School is an English co-educational independent school/public school in Chigwell, in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It was founded in 1629 by Samuel Harsnett, a former Archbishop of York . There are around 730 pupils aged between 7 and 18 years...
and then studying medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
. He received his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is a professional qualification to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland...
in 1934. He worked at the Sheffield Royal Hospital before being appointed consultant in orthopaedics at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) in 1939.
Hip replacement work
Ken moved to NorfolkNorfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
in 1939. He worked in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital [7] was founded in 1771 as a charitable institution for the care of "the poor and the sick" and was established by William Fellowes and Benjamin Gooch...
(N&N), which he joined in 1939 as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, going on to pioneer primary hip replacements in the 1950s. According to Hugh Phillips
Hugh Phillips
Hugh Phillips Engineering were specialists in the manufacture of steam locomotive valves and controls.In 1982 they were involved with refurbishment of the Great Western Railway heavy goods steam locomotive No...
, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
2004–2005, "Ken McKee started experimenting with model hip joints in 1938, working with dentists and an engineering firm in Norwich to create the original brass mock-ups. He carried out his first primary hip replacement on a patient in 1951, before Sir John Charnley
John Charnley
Sir John Charnley was a British orthopaedic surgeon. He pioneered the hip replacement operation, which is now one of the most common operations both in the UK and elsewhere in the world...
perfected his own version."
He retired to Tacolneston
Tacolneston
Tacolneston is a village in Norfolk, England. Tacolneston is a civil parish within the South Norfolk District with a population of around 700. The village name has also been spelt Tacolnestone....
in the 1970s.
Commemorations
In 1972 in recognition of his services to orthopaedic surgery he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and three years later received an Honorary Doctorate of Science of Cambridge University. He was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
in 1986.
In addition to a bronze bust cast by his daughter-in-law, the Belgian sculptor Myriam McKee, Ken McKee's work at the hospital is remembered with a residence block, McKee House, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a National Health Service academic teaching hospital located on the off the A11 road and the Watton Road on the southern outskirts of Norwich, England....
and a road, Kenneth McKee Plain, built on the former N&N site.