Timothy Rowland Morley

18th March 1939 - 11th January 2023 

Obituary by Michael Edgar and Michael Sullivan

Tim Morley was a distinguished Spinal Surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), Stanmore, recognised for his contribution to advances in scoliosis surgery. In addition to his surgical reputation, he was gifted with discerning independence of mind, a timely sense of humour and a gracious manner.

Tim was educated at Wellington College, Downing College Cambridge and University College Hospital Medical School. After gaining FRCS Eng, he trained in Orthopaedics at the RNOH and was appointed Consultant to Kings College Hospital in 1974.

From 1978, Tim partnered Charles Manning on the Scoliosis Unit, Stanmore, succeeding him in 1981 and taking over his commitment to the Chailey Heritage Home, Sussex.

Tim was joined by Peter Webb at Stanmore. They pioneered the Webb-Morley Instrumentation, improving correction and stability in spinal deformity surgery. With Mike Edgar, Andrew Ransford and Steve Jones (from the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square) he assisted in the development of a sensory spinal cord monitoring system, which was adopted internationally. Tim gave a good deal of time in building up a scoliosis service in Malta, for which he was honoured with the Maltese Medal.

The ‘Home Office’ was Tim’s endearing term for his wife Mary. They have a daughter, Nicky, and a son, Mark.

Tim’s interests included his 47ft sailing boat Kwa Heri, unsurprisingly registered in Malta. Many colleagues enjoyed his hospitality sailing in the Mediterranean. His other love was game shooting in the UK and abroad.

He also belonged to a small orthopaedic society, formed from those who had been registrars together at the RNOH. They met every year from 1972-2022. With his love of sailing, Tim always took his turn hosting on an island, be it Malta, Isle of Wight or the Scillies.