The practice of modern cardiothoracic surgery and anaesthesia at Papworth Hospital grew out of the pre-war era of tuberculosis before the discovery of streptomycin.

The 'open-air' treatment of tuberculosis at Papworth Hall began in 1918 with the arrival of Sir Pendrill Varrier-Jones.

It was not until 1935 that a 28 bed surgical unit was opened and Mr H. P. 'Tim' Nelson was appointed as visiting surgeon.  During his short stay at Papworth, Nelson performed a small number of thoracoplasties and thoracoscopies.

In 1947, Dr Ian English was appointed as the first consultant anaesthetist.

In 1952, Dr Robert Loder who had worked intermittently at Papworth since 1948, was appointed as the second consultant anaesthetist.

In 1953, the first cardiac operation - a close mitral valvotomy - was performed at Papworth.

The first operation at Papworth Hospital using cardiopulmonary bypass and a Melrose disc oxygenator was performed on 18 May 1960.

In 1969 Dr Don Bethune was appointed as consultant anaesthetist with an interest in cardiopulmonary bypass.

The first successful human cardiac transplant at Papworth Hospital was carried out on 17 August 1979.

In 19xx Dr John Collis was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.  Dr Collis died in 19xx.

In 19xx Dr Raymond Latimer was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.  Dr Latimer is a founder member of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (ACTA, formed in 19xx), the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (EACTA, formed in 19xx), and the Indian Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (IACTA, formed in 19xx).

In 198x Dr Ian Hardy was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.

In 198x Dr Amo Oduro was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.

In 1984 Dr John Kneeshaw was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.

In 199x Dr David Duthie was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.  In 199x Dr Duthie left the department to take up a consultant post at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

In 1994 Dr John Mackay was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.

In 1996 Dr Stephen Gray was appointed as consultant anaesthetist.

In 1998 Dr Alain Vuylsteke and Dr Joe Arrowsmith were appointed as consultant anaesthetists.

In 2000 Dr Florian Falter was appointed consultant anaesthetist.

In 2002 Dr Roger Hall was appointed consultant anaesthetist.

ICU Fellowship post created increasing the number of trainees from 10 to 11.

New 25 bed Intensive Care Unit opened in December 2001. Dr Alain Vuylsteke became Lead Clinician in Critical Care.

Fifth operating theatre opened in April 2002.

The University of Cambridge bestows an honorary chair in anaesthesia to Dr Ray Latimer.

References
Milstein BB. The Development of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Papworth hospital. 1918-1984. Papworth Hospital; Public Relations Department. 1997.