In Memoriam: Edwin “Ted” Paterson Arnold – A Life Dedicated to Urology, Continence Care and the ICS

Edwin (known as Ted) Paterson Arnold was universally liked and held in great esteem by all who knew him, including a wide range of professional colleagues. He was a dedicated clinician and an ambitious academic, who also greatly enjoyed social and geographical adventures. He was entrusted with multiple leadership roles and was given multiple awards yet presented to all as a warm, friendly, charming and humble individual. He dedicated his life to his family and friends, his profession and his colleagues. He had the ability to relate well with colleagues of many other specialties (the current author testimony to that). He left the world within days of an unexpected academic finale.

Ted was born an Australian, in Perth. He had a mobile schooling through Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Wellington, as his father Dick relocated with the bank where he worked. After Dick’s relatively early death, his mother, Essie, settled in the Sydney suburb of Turramurra. Most of Ted’s life, however, was spent in Christchurch, New Zealand. He graduated from Otago University Medical School (MB ChB 1960) before seeking postgraduate studies in London, leading to qualifications as a Urologist (FRCS England 1977; FRACS in Urology 1977). He then returned to practice, teaching and research firstly in Dunedin in 1973 and then in Christchurch in 1979. In 1980, he completed the academic qualification of PhD (London), something he had begun before leaving England.

Ted described Richard Turner-Warwick, who led the Urology Department at the Middlesex Hospital in London, where Ted worked as a Research Fellow (1972-1973), as the “single person who had the biggest influence”. It was the site of origin of urodynamic studies with colleagues such as Graham Whiteside (radiologist), Derek Griffiths (Physicist), Chris Chapple (Urology), Anne Jequier and Alan Brown (Gynaecologists) and associated neurologists, geriatricians, paediatricians, nurses, physiotherapists and basic scientists – perhaps a microcosm of a future International Continence Society (ICS).

After Ted returned to Dunedin, he established the first urodynamic clinic in Australasia. He subsequently moved to Christchurch and was appointed as an academic, eventually Professor, and surgical urologist at the University of Otago and the Christchurch Hospital. He focused heavily on female and functional urology, urodynamics and neurogenic bladder care. He acted as a medical advisor and specialist for spinal cord injury urinary management at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch. He was a Founding Member and first Chairman of the Burwood Academy of Independent Living.

Ted first attended the ICS Meeting in Paris in September 1972, a year after the first “Continence Club” Meeting in Exeter in 1971, co-ordinated by Eric Glen. Ted attended 80 percent of ICS AGMs until he retired. He was Scientific Chair in 1995, Sydney and Meeting Chair for 2006, Christchurch (Figure 1). He was a Member of the ICS Board of Trustees from 2008-2011.

Ted was President 1994-1995, Urological Society of Australasia (USANZ). He was a Member, British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) since 1967 and an Honorary Fellow since 2000. He was awarded the St Paul’s Medal, BAUS 1995 (Figure 2) and a USANZ Award in 2019. He was honoured by the USANZ through the establishment of the Low-Arnold Award, named after Ted and Tony Low in recognition of their contributions to functional urology. He received an ICS “Hall-of-Fame” Award on 17th July 2020. His publications in the ten years 2009-2019 were significant1-12, outlined in that award’s report. At that time, his professional title was Honorary Clinical Professor of Urology, University of Otago. Christchurch.

Ted was Co-Editor of the ICS History Project for ICS 50 years in 2021 (Figure 3) with co-authors Eric Glen and Norman Zinner. He was encouraged by this Author, in the last three months of his life, to assist publishing an updated version of the Standardisation of Terminology section of the above 2021 project with the paper published in the ICS Journal, Continence13. Ted subsequently wrote the draft response14 to a Letter to the Editor two days before he passed away. Another paper15, submitted to the Journal of the European Society of Medicine on the day he passed away, has now been published online.

Ted was the dearly loved husband for 62 years of the late (2022) Margaret. He was a loved father to Peter, Jan, Richard, Steven and Lynne and their families, He was a much loved grandfather (eight grandchildren) and great grandfather (one). He was a loved brother of Lib Trevithick (USA).

Apart from late academia, Ted had some late “wanderlust”. Ted trekked three times, from ages 56 to 70, to the South (Nepal) Base Camp of Everest (altitude: 5364 metres; 17,798 feet). This followed the efforts of daughter Jan (Everest summit 1993). On hearing of Ted’s passing, Sherpa friends in Kathmandu, Nepal, reported lighting ”butter-lamps”, a Buddhist tradition intended to “guide Ted’s soul peacefully on its journey ahead”.

Ted Arnold died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Christchurch on 25th July, aged 89 years. He had lived a very full life with numerous focuses and countless achievements professionally and personally. He will be very warmly remembered by all who knew him.

Bernard Haylen
Adjunct Professor (Urogynaecology) UNSW Sydney

Figure 1: Ted greets Richard Turner-Warwick with the traditional Māori hongi at the ICS Christchurch 2006 (below)

Figure 2: Ted receiving the St Paul’s Medal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons in 1995 (below)

Figure 3: ICS History Project 2021 (Below)

Reviewers: Dr Jan Arnold, Prof Richard Arnold, A/Prof Richard Millard, Prof Don Wilson.

Papers Published in 10 years (2009-2019) – from 72 years to 82 years old (as prepared by Ted)

1. Herbison GP, Arnold EP Sacral neuromodulation with implanted devices for urinary storage and voiding dysfunction in adults Cochrane Review Year: 2009
2. Arnold EP, Milne DJ, English SF Conservative treatment for incontinence in elderly women in rest home care: outcomes and cost. Neurourology and Urodynamics 2015 Apr 8. doi: 10.1002/nau.22773. [Epub ahead of print] Neurourology and Urodynamics, June 2016, Vol. 35(5) 636-641, 6p;
3. Xiong XH, Arnold EP, van den Heuvel M, Anthony A 2014 State of the Art in Spinal cord Medicine in New Zealand Critical Reviews in Rehabilitation Medicine 26:1-2: 99-111
4. Arnold EP, Frizelle FA, English SF et al 2016 Symptoms of neuropathic bowel dysfunction and its management do not relate to level of spinal cord injury Abstract. Proceedings of the International Continence Society 2016 Neurourology and Urodynamics 2016. June 2016 .
5. Schluter PJ, Ward C, Arnold EP, Scrase R, Jamieson HA Urinary incontinence, but not fecal incontinence, is a risk factor for admission to aged residential care of older persons in New Zealand Neurourology and Urodynamics 2016 24 Sept 2016 DOI 1-.1002/nau.23160
6. Jamieson HJ, Schluter PJ, Pyun J, Arnold EP, Scrase R, Nisbet -Abey R, Deeley JM, Gray L Fecal Incontinence Is Associated With Mortality Among Older Adults With Complex Needs: An Observational Cohort Study American Journal of Gastroenterology 2017 DOI/10.1038/ajg.2017.200
7. Schluter HJ, Arnold EP, Jamieson HJ Falls and hip fractures associated with urinary incontinence among older men and women with complex needs: a national population study Neurourology and Urodynamics 2017 DOI 10.1002/nau.23442. 2018 37:1336-1343
8. Gomez R, Eliott S, Urologic Management of the Spinal Cord Injured Patient Joint SIU-ICUD Consultation on Urologic Management of the Spinal Cord Injured Patient. Chapter 8 EP Arnold Committee member ISBN: 978-1-7750334-0-0 2017
9. Arnold EP, Losco G, English SF, Frizelle F, Anthony A Symptoms of bowel dysfunction and their management after spinal cord injury in a New Zealand centre NZ Medical; Journal 2018 131: ISSN 1175-8716
10. D’Ancona C, Haylen B, Oelke M , Abranches-Monteiro L, Arnold E, Goldman H, Hamid R, Homma Y, Marcelissen T, Rademakers K, Schizas A, Singla A, Soto I, Tse V, de Wachter S, Herschorn S. The International Continence Society (ICS) report on the terminology for adult male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction Neuro Urology and Urodynamics 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23897
11. Losco G1, Abbott J2, Arnold E2, English S1 Effect of bladder filling status on blood pressure and heart rate Neuro Urology and Urodynamics 2019 ICS Presentation 2019
12. Schluter P, Jamieson H, Arnold EP, Askew D Urinary and faecal incontinence are independently associated with falls risk among older women and men with complex needs: a national population study Neurourology and Urodynamics

Recent publications 2026 (July) – 89 years old +/- 2.5 weeks (prepared by author)

13. Haylen BT, Arnold EP, Glen E. International Continence Society (ICS): Fifty years (1976-2026) publishing standardisation documents. Continence-D-26-00062R1. 2026
14. Haylen BT, Arnold EP, Glen E. Response to Letter to the Editor. International Continence Society (ICS): Fifty years (1976-2026) publishing standardisation documents. Continence-D-26-00062R1. 2026
15. Haylen BT, Arnold EP, Glen E. Standardisation of Terminology: Aim for a comprehensive, accurate, systematic and electronically accessible portfolio of definitions. Journal of the European Society of Medicine. Medical Research Archives 14(8). https://doi.org/18103/mra2026.0497