The founder of the Macmillan cancer care unit at Christchurch hospital, Dr.Ronald Fisher has died at the age of 90.  He was also a pioneer of pallatitve care withinthe National Health Service.  Dr. Fisher's philosophy was people should be helped to live with cancer rather than die without understanding and dignity.  This philosophy has helped thousands of cancer sufferers and their families with the effects of the disease.  The first Macmillan Unit in the country opened within the grounds of Christchurch hospital in 1975.

While serving as senior anaesthetist within the Bournemouth and East Dorset group of hospitals he persuaded the local health authorities to meet the cost of day to day running of a specialist terminal cancer care unit.  In return he would get public support to build and equip the unit.  He started a campaign to raise funds which was highly successful and was further helped by a grant from the National Society for Cancer Relief, now known as Macmillan Cancer Relief.  Dr. Fisher then became the cancer units first consultant physician.

By the time Dr. Fisher had retired seven years later there were a total of eleven similar units around the country.  During this time he had brought about the NHS Home Care service, now known as Macmillan Nursing Service.  This service provided palliative care for cancer sufferers at home.  Also the first day care cancer unit was opened.

On retirement he continued as a Macmillan trustee, lecturing on palliative care and wrote three manuals on the subject of cancer care from his experience in this field.  In 2006 he was honoured with the prestigious Macmillan Gold Medal for outstanding service to  cancer relief around the world.

Dr. Fisher trained in medicine at the Middlesex Hospital before he became a consultant anaesthetist for the Bournemouth and East Dorset Authority.

Dr. Ronald Fisher leaves his wife Gwyneth and two daughters.  A memorial service will be held on the 14th September at Al Saints Church, Branksome, Poole.