Why do doctors across the world use the Glasgow Coma Scale?

Sir Graham developed his interest in head injuries and neurosurgery before he worked in Glasgow.

Born in County Durham in 1940, he had studied medicine at Newcastle.

After graduation he worked in neurology in Birmingham then came to Glasgow to gain his surgical fellowship.

Sir Graham met Prof Jennett, who offered him a role in Glasgow’s newly opened Institute of Neurosurgery.

Prof Jennett, who died in 2008, was a leading figure in neurosurgery and was made a CBE in 1991.

Sir Graham says the Glasgow Coma Scale was created through a collaborative effort between the two men.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the two of us,” he said.

And he says calling it the Glasgow Coma Scale was a huge part of its success.

“I can recall we sat in Bryan’s office saying should it be the Jennett-Teasdale scale or the Teasdale-Jennett scale.

“We decided no, it would be the Glasgow scale, therefore other people won’t feel they’re being slighted by using it.

“It took out that competitiveness that neurosurgeons had. I think that was a very wise decision.”