Surgical Intensive Therapy Unit - Tavistock Neurosurgical

The Neurosurgical Intensive Therapy Unit (SITU) is a state-of-the-art 15-bed facility with nine level 3 beds and six level 2 beds, managing more than 1,100 patients per annum. It provides a regional referral service for critically ill neurosurgical patients, particularly those with vascular brain injury, from acute NHS Trusts within our network and is one of the ICUs serving the North London hyperacute stroke network.

In addition, the unit provides a regional and national service for patients admitted to NHNN for complex specialist neurosurgical and spinal interventions. The unit has facilities for comprehensive multimodal intracranial monitoring at each bed and access to all relevant diagnostic and support services. We have established protocol-guided management, based on expert consensus guidance, to ensure high quality and cost-effective clinical services which deliver optimal patient outcomes. Clinical audit and robust governance arrangements underpin our services. The SITU multi-disciplinary team comprises dedicated medical staff and nursing staff, specialist therapists, pharmacists and other professional groups.

A daily consultant intensivist-led ward round is the focus for patient management discussions and clinical decision making. In addition, daily review of patients by a consultant microbiologist provides high quality advice as well as promoting excellent standards of infection control.

Close collaboration with colleagues on MITU at NHNN and the general ICU at UCLH allows access to other expert critical care input. Support by colleagues in neurosurgery, neuroradiology and neurophysiology ensures rapid access to diagnostic opinion and intervention. There is also access to a variety of specialist non-neuroscience opinion from colleagues on the main campus of UCLH. SITU is recognised for training of medical and nursing staff and is the base for an internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research group.