1960-1989 Archives - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

1961 (27 January 2023)
Torbay Hospital becomes the first in the world to introduce a dedicated Infection Control Nurse.

1988 (1 December 2022)
NHS breast and cervical cancer screening were introduced. Mammograms are offered to women aged over 50, and women aged 20 to 64 are offered cervical cancer screening.

1987 (1 December 2022)
The world’s first heart, lung and liver transplant was performed. The procedure helped pave the way for other multiple organ transplants.

1985 (1 December 2022)
Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, opened the hospital’s new maternity unit - The John MacPherson ward. This was named in honour of Mr John MacPherson, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.John MacPherson Ward

1984 (1 December 2022)
A new Intensive Care Unit was built on the Torbay Hospital site.A new mental health unit was also built on the Torbay Hospital site.

1983 (1 December 2022)
The Mental Health Act (1983) introduced the issue of consent in mental health treatment and set out when people can be detained, or “sectioned”. It applies in England and Wales, and is still the main piece of legislation that covers the assessment, tr

1980 (1 December 2022)
A new catering complex, Bayview restaurant, was built at Torbay Hospital.

18 August 1979 (1 December 2022)
Sir Terence English performed the UK’s first heart transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital. The patient, Keith Castle, lived for more than five years post-transplant.

25 July 1978 (1 December 2022)
Louise Brown, the world's first baby to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) was born at Oldham and District General Hospital in Manchester.

9 March 1978 (1 December 2022)
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Torbay Hospital for the official opening of the new hydrotherapy pool and telecobalt unit. This cost approximately £125,000 and the League of Friends contributed approximately £105,000.Torba