Dr Brentnall was appointed as the Departments Director in 1974 and over a period of 19 years, was instrumental in enhancing and repositioning Emergency Medicine as a medical speciality.
 
Dr Brentnall’s foresight and visionary ideas for emergency departments commenced at Box Hill Hospital, where he introduced new concepts, which have gone on to receive widespread acceptance throughout Australasia.
 
Among Dr Brentnall’s many contributions to Emergency Medicine is that he was the first doctor to introduce the concept of ‘triage’  to an Australian hospital (Box Hill Hospital), in part based on his military medical experience having served in the British Army as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps and Regimental Medical Officer 1954-57. 
 
His innovations in improving processes within the Emergency Department were far ahead of his time. He proposed computerised data processing which took some 18 years to eventuate and, risk management and quality improvement activities which over time have become mandatory. Also, he proposed the introduction of short stay ‘observation wards’ – long before short stay units became almost universally established in emergency departments across Australia.
 
Arguably Dr Brentnall’s most long ranging and perpetual contribution to the field of Emergency Medicine in Australia was his founding membership of the Australasian Society of Emergency Medicine in 1981. This provided the stimulus for the foundation in 1983 of a specialist college for emergency medicine and 25 years later, this College has trained more than 1100 specialists (Fellows) and currently has more than 1500 doctors training in this speciality throughout Australasia, the largest number of any specialist medical college in Australasia. 
 
According to Dr Andrew Maclean, Director of Emergency Medicine, “At Box Hill Hospital we have been exceptionally fortunate to have had the foresight and leadership of Dr Brentnall, which has helped pave the way in advancing service delivery today.
 
“Dr Brentnall structured his Emergency Department along philosophical lines which placed patient care as the priority.
 
“His belief in the provision of the best patient care was matched by his endeavours to improve Emergency Department staffing.
 
“Dr Brentnall’s influence and guidance has been imparted to more than a generation of emergency physicians and his vision of placing priority on patient care and supporting, educating and training the best possible staff remain our guiding values of emergency medical care at Box Hill Hospital today,” said Dr Maclean. 

Order of Australia Citation

Dr Edward William Brentnall (OAM)

MB BS, D Obst RCOG, FRACGP, FACEM, MBE, SBStJ Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division 
 
For service to acute and emergency medicine, particularly through the development of innovative procedure.
 
Director, Emergency Department (ED), Box Hill Hospital, 1975 – 1994; introduced the concept of ‘triage’ prioritisation of patients.
Director, Auckland Hospital ED, 1994-1995; instrumental in the transformation if emergency medicine in New Zealand.
 
Member, Casualty Services Consultative Council, Health Commission of Victoria Ministerial Advisory Committee, 1979-1983.
Influential in the establishment of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, 1983; Founding Fellow, 1983; Life Member, 1995.
Founding Member, International Federation of Emergency Medicine, 1981.
Instrumental in the development of the Victorian Casualty Surgeons Association and the Victorian Emergency Department Association.
 
Commissioner, St John Ambulance Australia, Victoria District, 1984-1987.
 
Awards/recognition include:
Appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Military Division) in 1956 for his services in Singapore while serving in the British Armey.
Appointed a Commander of the Order of St John for his service to St John Ambulance Australia.
 
 
About Eastern Health
Eastern Health is one of Victoria’s largest public health services. It provides a range of acute, sub-acute, mental health and community health services across 23 locations. Its larger facilities include: Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully, Box Hill Hospital in Box Hill, Healesville & District Hospital in Healesville, Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood East, Peter James Centre in Burwood East, Wantirna Health in Wantirna, Yarra Ranges Health in Lilydale and Yarra Valley Community Health in Healesville.
 
 
Media information: Christine Elmer, Eastern Health Communications & Community Relations, ph 03 9895 3245 or 0448 535 109.