Rod McCord - Obituary.

OBITUARY – RODNEY (ROD) McCORD

5th March 1950 - 15th February 2018

Rod McCord with sons Patrick, Danny, and late wife Liz

It is with deep sadness and regret that we have to announce the death of our good friend and highly esteemed colleague, Rodney (Rod) McCord, who died in Willow Wood Hospice on 15^th February 2018, aged 67.

Originally from Openshaw, Manchester, Rod spent most of his married life living in Stalybridge, where he was active in the local Stalybridge Labour Party.  He was one of three children, of Phyllis and Charles McCord, who along with their father were all active members of the Communist Party (CPGB). After the death of his wife Liz, in 1996, he then had responsibility for continuing to bring up his two sons, Patrick and Danny, who attended Copley High School.

Rod was educated at the Central Manchester Grammar School and the University of Sheffield where he studied political Science. After leaving university, he worked for the Inland Revenue and the Manchester Direct Works Department.

A keen local health campaigner, Rod worked with us for many years, in the Tameside Hospital Action Group (THAG) which was set up with the help of Ashton MP David Heyes in November 2006, as well as the ‘Campaign for Change at Tameside Hospital.’ He was also involved with the local health watchdog LINk, (now called Tameside Health Watch). He worked tirelessly to improve standards for patients at Tameside Hospital and often did ward visits to speak to patients about their experiences. This was at a time when Tameside Hospital was being accused of providing sub-standard patient care and the hospital, was denounced by the local Coroner, as “despicable” and “Chaotic”. Failure to address these issues would result in the hospital being placed in “Special measures” following the Keogh review, and the resignation of the hospital CEO, Christine Green, in July 2013.

He was a familiar face at any meeting where Tameside Hospital were being held to account and would grill Tameside Hospital management relentlessly, if he felt standards for patients were remiss or inadequate. As a member of THAG, he wrote the document “A Charter for Change” that was submitted to the hospital.

Though he could be blunt and vituperative with those in authority, no one who knew him ever doubted his sincerity, inherent decency, compassion, and his commitment to any cause that he took up. A stickler for accuracy, he was once told by a High Court Judge during a legal case that he brought himself, against a building contractor represented by a barrister - which he won with costs - that he found Rod too pedantic. He then praised him for being one of best lay persons (litigant in person) that had ever brought a case before him in his court. This legal case, he prepared himself, with no legal experience other than the text books he’d found in a law library in central Manchester. Such was his ability and thoroughness, when it came to mastering any brief.

A devoted grandfather, to Amber, Sammy, Josh and Lily, Rod was an avid reader, a keen walker and liked swimming. He was also a Manchester United supporter and a big fan of Dennis Law.  A man of great principle and integrity, he will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends, and colleagues, who will remember him for his wit and lively and enlightening conversation.

A memoriam service is to take place on Thursday 8^th March, at

Stalybridge Civic Hall, commencing at 12 pm followed by a funeral service at Dukinfield Crematorium at 1.30pm.

Derek Pattison (THAG).

Milton Pena – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (retired) Tameside Hospital.

Liz Degnan – Campaign for Change at Tameside Hospital.

Paul Broadhurst – Community Health Campaigner.