Dr David Olive

MBBS (Hons), FANZCA

My name is Dr David Olive. I am a specialist anaesthetist with Associated Anaesthetists Group.  After graduating with honours in medicine at Monash University in 1992 I completed my internship and two years residency at the Geelong Hospital before commencing post-graduate specialist training in anaesthesia.

My training was based at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne but also included time at the Royal Women’s and Royal Children’s Hospitals.  In 2000 I completed a fellowship in anaesthesia for cardiac and thoracic surgery in England before achieving my specialist qualification in 2001.

Since then I have worked in the public sector at St. Vincent’s (2001-present) and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (2001-12) as well as in private practice at various hospitals around Melbourne.

I have published papers on pharmacological methods for reducing blood loss following cardiac surgery, on ventilation techniques for lithotripsy and on pain relief options after total knee replacement. 

I have a wide-ranging practice that includes anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery, for ENT and dental surgery (comprising a large paediatric caseload), orthopaedic and obstetric anaesthesia.  I have an interest in regional (as opposed to general) anaesthetic techniques and in post-operative pain management.

I lecture regularly at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. I was Chairman of Obstetric Anaesthesia for St. Vincent’s Private Hospital and for Epworth Freemasons from 2004-24 and have also been an office bearer on the Anaesthetic Advisory Committee for Epworth HealthCare, the Medical Advisory Committee for Masada and the Economics Advisory Committee for the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. Aside from anaesthesia, I am a member of Dying With Dignity Victoria and I am a Voluntary Assisted Dying practitioner. Outside of medical practice, I am an enthusiastic (albeit mediocre) golfer and a keen Hawks supporter.

 More information about anaesthesia can be found at the website of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists - https://asa.org.au/patient-information/