Bernard Ribeiro, Baron Ribeiro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Ribeiro
CBE FRCS
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| Born |
Bernard Francisco Ribeiro
20 January 1944 Achimota, Gold Coast
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Dean Close School, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; Middlesex Hospital Medical School |
| Known for | President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 2005–08 |
| Awards | CBE 2004 FRCS Knight Bachelor 2009 |
Bernard Francisco Ribeiro, Baron Ribeiro (born 20 January 1944) is a famous British surgeon. He was the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 2005 to 2008. This is a very important group for surgeons in England. In 2010, he became a life peer, which means he got a special title and a seat in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament, where laws are discussed. He was a member of the Conservative group there until he retired in 2023.
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About Bernard Ribeiro
Bernard Ribeiro was born in 1944 in a place called Achimota. This was in the Gold Coast, which is now the country of Ghana. He went to school at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, England. Later, he studied medicine at Middlesex Hospital Medical School.
Becoming a Surgeon
Ribeiro became a doctor in 1967. Five years later, he became a specialist in surgery. He earned a special title called Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). From 1979 until 2008, he worked as a top surgeon at Basildon Hospital. He was especially good at urology (problems with the urinary system) and colorectal surgery (problems with the bowel).
He was a pioneer in using keyhole surgery. This is a way to do operations with very small cuts. He helped set up a special unit for this type of surgery at Basildon Hospital. In 1998, he was chosen to join the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This shows how respected he was in his field.
Awards and Honours
Bernard Ribeiro has received many important awards. In 2004, he was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award is for great service to medicine. In 2009, he became a Knight Bachelor. This means he can be called "Sir Bernard."
In 2010, he became a life peer, which gave him the title of Baron Ribeiro. He chose the name Baron Ribeiro of Achimota, linking back to his birthplace in Ghana. He also chose Ovington in Hampshire, England.
Later Roles
In 2012, Lord Ribeiro became the Chair of a group called the Independent Reconfiguration Panel. This group advises the government on changes to local health services. He also served as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Barbers. This is an old and respected group in London. He is also the President of the Council for his old school, Dean Close School.
Lord Ribeiro is also involved with the United Grand Lodge of England, which is a large Freemason group. He holds a high position there. In 2020, he joined the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This group works to protect people's rights. In 2021, he became the Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University.
Family Life
Lord Ribeiro is married to Elisabeth. They have four children: Joanna Charlotte, Tessa Elisabeth, Nicola Helen, and Richard Francisco Ribeiro.
His Medical Contributions
Lord Ribeiro has made many important contributions to medicine.
Views on Patient Care
In 2014, a new law was suggested called the Assisted Dying Bill. This bill would have allowed doctors to help patients end their lives if they chose. Lord Ribeiro did not support this bill. He believed it could make the relationship between patients and doctors more complicated.
In 2007, he talked about how groups like the Royal College of Surgeons were working to use "patient-reported outcome measures." This means asking patients how they feel after surgery. Ribeiro believed this would help the entire National Health Service (NHS) and its patients. It would also lead to better training for doctors.
Developing Surgery Techniques
Lord Ribeiro started his career at Basildon Hospital in 1979. He helped develop many new surgery techniques. He was especially known for his work in minimally invasive surgery, like keyhole surgery. He also played a big part in building the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon Hospital. This center helps many people with heart and chest problems. It sees over 300,000 outpatients and 103,000 emergency patients each year.
Key Achievements
Lord Ribeiro is best known for his work in developing and performing keyhole surgery. This achievement helped him become recognized and eventually join the House of Lords. He also has special honorary degrees from several universities. These include the University of Bath and Anglia Ruskin University. He also has an honorary fellowship from the American College of Surgeons.
