Publish date: 3 March 2023
On 22 February we had the devastating news that our colleague and friend Dr Phil Cumberlidge had passed away very suddenly from a brain tumour the night previously. Phil was 45 and married to Jo, and had three daughters Mya, Alexa and Heidi. He was a GP in Vauxhall, a rheumatology specialist GP, and also the GP lead for the Mersey Care Long COVID service.
Phil had worked for many years in rheumatology and had a keen interest in widespread pain conditions like fibromyalgia. His knowledge and expertise of complex medical conditions was one of the many reasons having Phil involved in the Long COVID service was such an advantage. But the additional parts of him were where he shone too. Patients asked specifically for him. They also knew he possessed the unteachable qualities of humanity and compassion that ‘no matter who, you matter’.
From the other side he was simply the exact person you wanted on your team. Motivated, smart, dependable, and always measured, with a deep knowledge of his subject. Both his years as a GP and also just who he was as a person, gave him the ability to cut through situations with pragmatism and good humour.
Modest and understated, he had previously appeared on TV in his role as an inner-city GP, but also recently on BBC Radio Merseyside representing the Mersey Care Long COVID service. He knew that despite his unease in a spotlight, there were important messages to convey that may help. His knowledge and ability to share things simply also enabled other clinicians to fly with confidence in their work – ‘things were fine when Phil was around’.
Many of us will miss him deeply. In response to the impossible task of summing him up in a single word, members of his team said: Generous, quick-witted, perceptive, knowledgeable, dependable, friendly, kind, optimistic, truly likeable, genuine, inspirational, generous, bright, humility, approachable, charismatic, very supportive, caring. This was Phil.
Phil’s funeral details can be found here.
