Presentation by Dr George Merridew
Nuala o’Flaherty Auditorium QVMAG- Inveresk
Monday, 6th May 2011 Commencing 7.30 pm until 10.00 pm
About the Speaker
George Merridew was born in Devonport. He graduated MBBS at the University of Tasmania in 1972 and since 1986 has practised in Launceston in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain medicine and the inter-hospital transport of the critically ill. George is a Group Captain in the RAAF Specialist Reserve, with a clinical background well suited to medical care in difficult situations, including his ADF deployments to peacekeeping, the 2002 Bali bombing and Iraq. During his medical course George had joined the RAAF Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme and 4 years of uniformed RAAF service during which he was already planning a career in anaesthesia. His military glimpses of field work kindled subsequent acute medical work outside western hospitals and their air conditioning and reliable supplies of water, oxygen, electricity and numerous expert staff. After the Permanent Air Force, George gained his anaesthetic specialist qualification in 1983 in Adelaide, travelled with his wife and children to work in the UK, Hong Kong and the USA. Then he returned to his home state.
Brief Abstract of the Talk
George’s presentation will describe the Crimean War hospital quickly designed and fabricated in England for assembly in Turkey as easily the best military hospital for 1500 years. It is still in style. Created by the great Victorian engineer I.K. Brunel, it had flushing toilets (with instructions) among many other attributes in marked contrast with Florence Nightingale’s dismal hospital in Constantinople.
