Who is Doctor Alfred Goodricke, London from The Woman in White and what is their importance?

Doctor Alfred Goodricke is brought to the Fosco's London home care for the dying Anne Catherick. The Foscos lie and give him the name, Lady Glyde, so he will register her death in the wrong name. Goodricke lists the cause of death as an aneurysm on July 25th, 1850.