A BAYSIDE anaesthetist has received the prestigious Anniversary Medal from the Association of Anaesthetists for his significant contributions to anaesthesia and global healthcare development.
Dr John Ward was presented at the Association’s Winter Scientific Meeting in London.
He said he was drawn to anaesthetics because it was a specialty that touched everyone.
“It is interesting, and it is satisfying,” Dr Ward said.
“You finish your work, and you go home confident that your task is complete.
“I also like the safety aspect of it.
“You meet people who are at their most scared and vulnerable and often sick and it is a way of helping people in a kind way.”
The 62-year-old became a doctor in England in 1986, spending time in Auckland and Nambour in the late 1980s before returning home.
He became an anaesthetist in 1996, specialising in heart surgery.
“It was high risk and people were very sick,” he said.
After a year in Western Australia, Dr Ward worked at Brisbane’s QEII Hospital in 1998 and 1999 before again returning to the UK.
He said his recent return to Australia was motivated by family and fond memories of the Redlands.
“I have come back to Australia because two of my children are here, and living here is a half-way point. And I always loved the Redlands. There is a lot going on here,” Dr Ward said.
“I lived at Victoria Point in 1999, and the kids went to St Rita’s school.”
Now facing retirement, Dr Ward said he wasn’t ready to stop working.
“Let’s call this a senior gap year,” he said.
“I enjoy the interaction and sharing the experience with colleagues and staff.
“I also enjoy the training aspect.
“It is satisfying to help people out and relieve them of pain and anxiety about surgery.
“I have ended up at the Redland Hospital and I’m really enjoying it.”
Dr Ward said the hospital reminded him of a district facility in the UK.
“The district would have a similar population, and the hospital would have 10 theatres and seven or eight wards,” he said.
“Redland Hospital has four surgeries, an endoscopy suite and four wards.
“The Redlands is growing, and the hospital needs to grow too.”
He noted plans for a new mental health unit and praised the hospital’s maternity unit.
“It translates to pressure for the beds and pressure to get the work done,” he said.
Dr Ward also voiced his support for offering permanent residency to international doctors to help address Australia’s medical workforce shortage.
“It brings people here and helps them feel a part of the community,” he said.
“This is my third time in Australia.”
Acting Director of Medical Services, Dr Rachel Wong, said Dr Ward’s international experience and calm approach to complex cases made him an invaluable asset to the Redlands and Bayside community.
She said Dr Ward had earned respect for his calm management of complex clinical cases and commitment to patient-centred care.
Colleague and fellow anaesthetist Dr Matt Wiles said Dr Ward had inspired many young doctors, including himself.
“Watching John manage furiously complex cases convinced me to pursue a career in anaesthesia,” he said.
“He has a calm measured approach.
“He’s very humble and self-deprecating – someone who works tirelessly behind the scenes.”
