Page 1284 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 5 April 2011
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with both Colette and her husband to help her understand her diagnosis, giving her information and support.
Dr Buckingham’s wife, Sue, worked in his office for many years. Those who saw him as a doctor note that it was very much a team effort and her support was so important.
The Breast Cancer Network estimates that, in 2011, 14,300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the survival rate is good, with 88 per cent surviving five years after diagnosis. This was another feature of Dr Buckingham’s fine care—his follow-up over the years with survivors of breast cancer. Many recount their visits with great fondness, swapping stories of travel, music and family. Sometimes this attachment from a practitioner can be seen unfavourably, but I believe this level of connection makes all the difference when providing health care.
Dr Buckingham was certainly with the people he cared for. He gave them considerable skill, but he also gave to them the everyday man, showing that he was like them. It is this very ordinary quality that Dr Buckingham gave freely that made him an extraordinary human being.
Over the last week there have been many stories from work colleagues and those he cared for, expressing their sadness at his passing, but overwhelmingly honouring him as an exceptional doctor and human being.
Soon after his diagnosis in February, the John Buckingham Research Project Prize was set up by the Calvary hospital and the ANU, an annual prize for a top research project by a first-year or second-year medical student. I hope that Dr Buckingham’s skill and kindness inspire many students into the future.
Dr Buckingham loved musicals, travel and long-distance walking. He was a supporter of the Carlton Football Club, the Raiders and the Brumbies. He is survived by his wife, Sue, children and grandchildren. The ACT Greens also support this condolence motion this morning for a wonderful Canberran.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations): I join with other Assembly members to express my condolences on the sad loss of Dr John Buckingham and I certainly extend my condolences and my thoughts to his family during what is a very sad time. As we have heard from the Chief Minister, Dr Buckingham’s successes are impressive and, through his work, he touched the lives of thousands of people and saved the lives of many people in the ACT. His dedication to breast cancer and continued work in this area were recognised around the country.
As the Chief Minister said, Dr Buckingham’s work was recognised in 14 published abstracts and 22 publications in peer-reviewed journals. His reputation of being the father of breast screening and breast surgery in the ACT was a well-deserved accolade that he earned after many years of dedication and commitment. Dr Buckingham contributed extensively to medical students based at the Calvary hospital as well as
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