Intensive Care Unit

the history of the ICU at Wellington Hospital

Before Graeme Marshall returned to Wellington Hospital in 1962 as Director of Anaesthesia, he had witnessed the development of the first ICU at Royal Adelaide Hospital. In 1962, there was no recovery room, let alone an ICU at Wellington Hospital. Cam Barrett (Specialist Anaesthetist) returned to Wellington Hospital in 1963. He too had experience of setting up an ICU, having come from University College Hospital in London where a 2-bed unit had been established.

There was clinical support for an ICU from Bill Shirer (General and Vascular Surgeon), Tony James (Neurosurgeon), and Peter Holst (Respiratory Physician).

With support from John North (Medical Superintendent), Wellington Hospital's first intensive care unit was opened in August 1964, at the end of Ward 29 (later renamed Ward 10) in the 210 Block. There were six beds. Cam Barrett was in charge. He was supported by Verney Cable (Physician) and Dick Aldridge (Surgeon)

the hospital's first ICU was located in part of Ward 29 (in the 210-block)

Maliq Jaimon was appointed Registrar in 1973, and then part-time Consultant in 1977.

He succeeded Cam Barrett as Director of the ICU in 1978, and remained in that role until 1989 when he departed for Australia. David Waite was appointed ICU Physician 1978 - 1980

The ICU moved to the Clinical Services Block (Block B) in 1981. Much of the planning and success of the new unit were due to the foresight and effort of Cam Barrett.

Peter Roberts was Maliq Jaimon's first Registrar, a unique appointment as Peter was concurrently training as a Physician. Once Peter had completed his training, he joined the consultant team in ICU in 1983 as Deputy Director. He was Chairman of the ICU 1988 - 1989.