Eulogy - Dr. Christine Farrell
From 1963 to retirement in 1993 Christine had a full career ranging from manager, consultant, chairman, researcher, evaluator, and teacher with extensive knowledge of health care, the voluntary sector and further and higher education.
Christine spent the first ten years of her career as a researcher for the London School of Economics, Middlesex Poly and the Department of Education becoming a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Social Studies in Medical Care in 1973 where she headed a programme of research that led to the publication of a book and several articles.
The research book: ’My Mother Said’ in collaboration with her good friend Leonie, collated information on the way young people learned about sex and birth control and was formative in sex education going forward.
In the mid 70s she became the principle research officer to the Royal Commission on the NHS, leading to the publication of 5 reports. In 1980 she received a scholarship to study Patient Advocate Systems as a visiting Fellow in the US.
Christine continued her career in research and education within the health sector
publishing along the way: ‘Where’s The Patient’s Voice in Health Professional Education’, ‘Across Generations’, ‘Conflict and Change’, ‘Specialist Care in London’, ‘A&E Emergency Services Haringey’, ‘Conflict and Consensus’, ‘Podiatry/Chiropody Services’ and ‘Graduate School’ to name a few.
She worked tirelessly towards improving the quality of patient care, working with Cancer Research Campaign and Macmillan Fund.
Finally Christine worked as a Programme Director, for the King’s Fund until retirement, Focussing on changing clinical behaviour and promoting evidence-based patient choice.
Christine also offered her services for Voluntary Work in the Haringey District Health Authority, as a Trustee British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Chairman Social Research Association Kings Fund Project Committee, and a Primary Care Advisor or the Department Of Education.
In retirement Christine continued to be active in the community, she loved green spaces volunteered as Secretary for Waterloo Park in Highgate, heading up a project to install and obtain funding for a new Kitchen Garden offering plots to the community.
In her free time Christine enjoyed culture of all sorts, especially reading, opera, travelling and film. Her favourite museum being the V&A to which she had membership. In retirement Christine also volunteered as an historical tour guide at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley and Kenwood House in Hampstead.
Christine loved people, entertaining and parties always with good food and wine and she made good friends wherever she worked.
Sara
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