Cardiology at Wellington Hospital

INTRODUCTION

This story covers a period of 86 years, during which cardiology has developed remarkably and at an increasingly rapid rate. The first Wellington Hospital cardiologist could not have imagined what lay ahead, and the cardiologist of today would have some difficulty practising his/her profession with the limited knowledge and resources that were available at the beginning.

Sir James Mackenzie is regarded as the father of clinical cardiology, and the cardiology service at Wellington Hospital was established just 15 years after Mackenzie was at his peak. We can reflect on some interesting connections. Dr Ponty Hallwright was Dr John Parkinson's last RMO at the National Heart Hospital, and in turn, Parkinson was James Mackenzie's first registrar at the London Hospital.

In these pages much of the detail is arranged as a timeline but it is interspersed with personal anecdotes and recollections from my long association with the service. An image gallery is included to bring some life to the account. In the overview section I have divided the timeline into eras, each marked by a change in cardiological practice.

I have been greatly assisted in this project by a number of current and former members of the staff of the Cardiology Department. A big thankyou to you all. Special thanks are due to Wendy O'Brien who contributed wonderful recollections by Tim Savage - see Congenital Heart Disease.
I would be very grateful for any information that might be added, and for advice of any errors.

Researched, designed and written by Ron Easthope