Oliver Rackham obituary

What we know

My son Oliver Rackham, who has died aged 57 of a brain tumour, was no ordinary neonatal paediatrician. Believing that a child’s parents were vital in every consultation and decision, he championed parental involvement on the neonatal unit long before the idea became mainstream.

In the fragile world of neonates, where life is held by a thread, he was admired by patients, colleagues and students for his unwavering care, attention to detail and his communication skills. He listened with empathy and spoke with sincerity and honesty.