For the first time in its 500-year history, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has awarded a fellowship posthumously to a doctor who died in active service.
Dr Peter Tun worked as an associate specialist in neurological rehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust before he contracted COVID-19 and sadly died on 13 April 2020.
Dr Tun was born in Yangon, Myanmar and came to the UK in 1994 where he worked for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust for over two decades.
He had a passion for medical education and was a fervent advocate for staff and associate specialist (SAS) doctors, striving throughout his career to shine a spotlight on this professional group, strengthening their education and fairness of working conditions.
Dr Tun made a significant contribution as a member of the RCP SAS Steering Group from 2014–16 and was an invited speaker on quality improvement of healthcare at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ SAS Conference in October 2017.
He was Royal Berkshire Hospital’s SAS doctors' tutor, 2009–12, and associate postgraduate dean for SAS doctors (Oxford Deanery, Health Education England Thames Valley) 2012–16. Dr Tun had also been an NHS appraiser for consultants and SAS doctors from 2009.
RCP fellows are nominated by their peers and fellows in recognition of their achievements and skills as doctors, and for their lasting contribution to the profession. As an RCP fellow, Dr Tun is recognised and remembered among some of the most inspiring and innovative physicians in the world.
Dr Tun’s family have been invited to accept the accolade of RCP fellowship on his behalf once ceremonies resume at the RCP following a hiatus during the pandemic.
Professor Donal O’Donoghue, RCP registrar said: “As physicians we have two jobs: to provide good care today and better care tomorrow. This is exactly what Dr Tun did, day in and day out as his career took him into research, postgraduate medical education and delivering a neuro-rehabilitation service.
“Sadly, he died of COVID-19 in April – may he rest in peace. As far as we can ascertain, Dr Tun is the first person to have died actively in service and be posthumously nominated for the award of fellowship.”
Nicky Lloyd, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Dr Peter Tun was a hugely respected member of the Royal Berkshire team and very highly regarded, both here and more widely, in his field of expertise in neurological rehabilitation.
“It is so well deserved that he has been made a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and that his superb dedication, expertise and knowledge has been honoured by his peers.”
For more information please contact RCP Media Manager Hannah Perlin by emailing hannah.perlin@rcplondon.ac.uk or calling 0203 075 1466.
About RCP fellowship
Fellows of the RCP are distinguished consultants or SAS doctors and are given the honour of using the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London (FRCP) postnominal. Fellowship is an accolade held by some of the most exceptional and innovative physicians in the world. RCP Fellows have the right to nominate colleagues and peers who they believe are deserving of the award of RCP fellowship. RCP Council, the governing body of the RCP, provide criteria that should be met for someone to receive fellowship and have the final decision as to whether a nominee is elected to fellowship.
More on Dr Peter Tun’s work and the reason for his nomination as an RCP fellow can be found on our website.