Cardiac experience at St. Luke's Hospital : 1966-1983

Abstract

I first visited St. Luke's in 1966 and for some years previously 'screened' Maltese patients referred to UX, for possible cardiac surgery. As they came individually, accompanied by a doctor and nurse, I proposed that it might be more economic if I saw a large number by paying a visit to Malta. The High Commission in London doubted if I would have more than six patients so I only arranged to stay two nights and one day. I still recall 7 p.m. that one day, when after seeing 30 plus patients and feeling distinctly hypoglycaemic, Or. Captur arrived with a contingent of seven cyanosed children with complex, congenital heart lesions to round off my day's visit. Thereafter, these visits have lasted a week during which time I have been reviewing 200-240 patients annually. My surgical colleague Mr. Bromley started accompanying me to review postoperative patients, and now his successor, Mr. Rex Stanbridge, has taken over this task. As of 1983 I have also called in Or. Hallidie Smith as well to help with paediatric cardiology.