James, Doctor Vernon Allen

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NameJames, Doctor Vernon AllenBiographyDr Vernon James, O.A.M, FRCS, FRACS, was a noted surgeon and consultant vascular surgeon.

Dr James came to Shellharbour in the mid 1950's and set up his practice in the enclosed verandah of Gething's Store (former Steam Packet Inn) at the eastern end of Addison Street.

Dr James was Shellharbour first full time GP. After several years in Gethings Shop he purchased land on the corner of Addison and Mary Streets and built a home for his family, which included his surgery.

Dr James was well known for being available day or night, and was known to transport patients to Kiama Hospital in his own car if the ambulance was going to take too long, or if the patients had no transport to get there themselves, or no transport to visit friends and relatives in the hospital. He later built a house in Surf Road.

Dr James introduced specialist vascular and microsurgery techniques to Australia, as well as the first intensive care unit and ambulance paramedic service to the Illawarra.

In 1985, Dr James was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medicine, particularly in the field of vascular surgery.

In a tribute to Dr James at the Parliament of New South Wales in 2004, his colleague The Hon Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans said ‘He was well known for starting work at 6.30 a.m. and not finishing until 8.00 p.m. or 9.00 p.m. He could do nearly as much work in a day as some surgeons did in a week…He was a very fast and impressive technical surgeon…But his greatest achievement was, when he returned to Wollongong weak with leukaemia, having the hospital operating theatres at Shellharbour named after him. He regarded that as his greatest triumph’.
Information - Local memories of Dr James contributed by Verne Robinson.

External LinkTribute to Dr Vernon Allen James Legislative Council Hansard

Document

Dr Vernon Allan James - Newspaper Clippings

Best of Health - Illawarra Health Newsletter

Photograph

Dr Vernon A James

Dr. Vernon Allen James.

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James, Doctor Vernon Allen