Source: The first draft of a chapter written by Anne Sutcliffe for one of the many text books published by
the International Trauma Anaesthesia and Critical Care Society. Although I have no way of verifying the accuracy of what I wrote, I suspect I interviewed Keith Whitall (Head of Nursing) and took notes about the information he gave me. I have reproduced my text verbatim.

• In 1960, many patients nursed in the Major Injuries Unit had a tracheostomy created.
• Tracheostomy was often necessary to facilitate suction of secretions from the lungs.
• These patients did not need the type of care offered in MIU but the need for humidification and the increased risk of infection meant that they needed more nursing care than could be provided on the general trauma wards.
• In 1962 therefore, a small tracheostomy ward was opened where these patients could be nursed.
• This was probably one of the first High Dependency Units in the country.
• It was not however a success.
• The ward was supplied with steam through a pipe in the ceiling.
• The high humidity of the ward proved to be irresistible to Pseudomonas species and Candida Albicans, both of which colonised the patients’ chests and the damp surfaces of the ward with enthusiasm.
• The second difficulty was the difficulty encountered by the Head of Nursing Services in staffing the unit. Being a male, he failed to appreciate that the lacquered beehive hairdo which was fashionable at the time could not stand the humidity. The beehive which was lovingly created at each weekly hair dressing appointment failed to survive even one shift in the Tracheostomy Ward.
• The ward was closed after only two years.