Dr Walter Ross Thompson, AM

UWA Medical Graduate (1972).  Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Specialist, with special interests in neuroanaesthesia, head injuries and critical care. Practised at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) and in private practice in Perth (1980-2012). Head of the SCGH Intensive Care Unit (1995-2001).

Teaching interests included anaesthesia trainees, trauma courses, courses on medical and anaesthesia emergencies plus simulation. EMST instructor for RACS (1992-2001) plus CCrISP instructor at inaugural course and from 2001-2006. Instructor at ACRM courses since 1998 and EMAC courses since 2006. One of the founding instructors at CASMS and CTEC.

Held positions within the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA), as regional chairman and Federal positions as Scientific Program Committee member (1985-96), reviewer and member of Editorial Board of “Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (1989-2005),Councillor, Vice President and President (1996-1998). Within the College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) held positions as Examiner (1990-2001), Councillor(1998-2008), Chair of General Examination Committee, Continuing Education and Quality Assurance Committee, Vice President and President (2006-2008).

In the mid-1990’s he was involved with a number of anaesthetic colleagues in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington who were interested in anaesthesia simulation as a means of teaching and upgrading skills, particularly in emergency or crisis situations. They proposed an “Emergency Management of Anaesthesia Crises” course. ANZCA supported the concept. As a College Councillor and Chair of Courses Subcommittee, he led the development, together with the simulation centres, of the first simulation course designed for ANZCA trainees and Fellows. This involved refining and assessing the curriculum, developing an instructor course, developing accreditation guidelines and regulations plus the introduction of EMAC into the ANZCA training program.

Honours: Member of Order of Australia, Life Member of ASA, Honorary member of New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists, Life Member of APSF, Emeritus Consultant SCGH.