Sevenoaks doctor who made a huge contribution to setting up of the NHS breast screening programme passes away

Dr Anne Rodway M.B.B.S., M.R.C.S.,L.R.C.P.,D.OBST., R.C.O.G., died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on 17 July.

Many Sevenoaks residents will remember Dr Rodway as a general practitioner, first at the doctor’s surgery formerly based in the building next to the fire station, and then after leaving this medical partnership she set up her own practice called The Chantry in her home almost opposite Sevenoaks School where her dining room became the waiting room.

She was eventually given planning permission to use the land previously occupied by another medical facility in South Park, Sevenoaks, to build a new doctor’s surgery which eventually became what is now known as the South Park Medical Practice.

She was also the school doctor at the former West Heath girls boarding school in Sevenoaks. The accompanying photo shows Dr Rodway (on the far left) joining in the fun during a fancy dress night on one of the school ski trips to France.

But more importantly, Dr Rodway will be remembered for her invaluable contribution to the initiation and development of the NHS Breast Screening Programme.

In her recreation time, Dr Rodway liked to ski, play golf, and was an enthusiastic sailor. Her exploits included captaining her yacht ‘Witch Doctor’ in offshore racing – always with her huge smile on her face and always with her sense of humour.

A service is being held at the Bluebell Cemetery in Halstead near Sevenoaks tomorrow (Tuesday 4 August) but because of Covid regulations it will be family only private service. The family plans to organise a memorial for Anne for other friends and colleagues to attend after the pandemic regulations have been eased.

The family also requests no flowers, but if you wish to make a charity donation in Anne’s memory, they ask you to send it to Target Ovarian Cancer UK.