The Department is responsible for the provision of anaesthetic services to four operating theatres and the interventional MRI operating suite. In addition, the department also provides anaesthetic support for the Neuroradiology Department. The total caseload for 2015, including emergencies, exceeded 5,400 cases. The department now has eighteen substantive consultant anaesthetists.
Consultant anaesthetists are responsible for both the Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Units as well as having a major input into the Pain Management Unit. 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.
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 Neuronaesthesia 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.