The department has recently expanded and now has twenty substantive consultant anaesthetists as well as 22 trainee doctors. It is responsible for the provision of anaesthetic services in the 6 newly refurbished operating theatres and the interventional MRI operating suite. The department also provides anaesthetic services in the Neuroradiology Department; in its 2 angiography suites and one of the MR scanners. In March of 2018 we launched a 7 day mechanical thrombectomy service to treat acute stroke patients in the neuroradiology department. We are also able to treat subarachnoid haemorrhage patients over the weekends as part of this service.
Consultant anaesthetists are responsible for both the Surgical and Medical Intensive Care units. The department also leads the Acute Pain Service, an important facet of anaesthetic practice. The department also has responsibility for the critical care outreach team which allows continuing care when patients are discharged from the Intensive Care Units to the general wards. Similarly, the tracheostomy team, which includes physiotherapists, anaesthetists and speech and language therapists has revolutionised the care of patients with airway problems. The recently established Neuromuscular Complex Care Centre also receives anaesthetic input. The department is also responsible for the running of the Pre-assessment and sleep study services.
Education is a fundamental role of the department. In addition to providing core training in all aspects of neuroanaesthetic and neurocritical care practice for anaesthetists, additional training for those who wish to pursue a career in Neuroanaesthesia is ensured by the provision of five Clinical Fellow posts (which are popular and keenly contested).
In 2016 The Department of Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care was proud to receive the coveted Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation from the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
The process presented a positive challenge for our department, providing the opportunity to work as a team to update and improve standards of care. We confirmed through external audit and peer review by the RCOA, that we meet and exceed quality control expectations to provide excellent clinical care.”