SIR ROBERT JONES

FOUNDER OF ORTHOPAEDICS

"In 1858 Hugh Owen Thomas’s nephew was born in Rhyl. Having been orphaned he was brought up by his uncle in Liverpool.

His name was Robert Jones"

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"At the end of the 19th Century Orthopaedics was focused on

the care of crippled children."

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"However Robert Jones was responsible for widening its scope to include the treatment of adults with disorders of the Musculoskeletal System not to mention the management of acute injuries."

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"Robert Jones and Alfred Tubbe formed the British Orthopaedic Society on November 3rd, 1894, at that time, general surgeons carried out most fracture management. Due to the lack of participation by the general surgeons the society ceased to function after four years. Most of the general surgeons had no interest in recognizing orthopaedics as a sub-specialty or caring for fractures solely as a part of their practice nevertheless"

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"Robert Jones was committed to improving orthopaedic care and fostering its specialization."

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"His organising abilities led him to be responsible for setting up the first accident service to deal with those injured when building the Manchester ship canal."

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"This was followed by his appointment as Brigadier with responsibility for Battlefield Injured Soldiers at the outbreak of WORLD WAR 1. Here he reintroduced his Uncle’s acclaimed Thomas Splint with great results. "

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"In civilian life Robert Jones worked at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool"