Consultant Anaesthetist

Duties of the post It is expected that the successful applicant would undertake theatre lists in a wide range of specialities including colorectal surgery, trauma, ophthalmic theatre, and maternity. As well as a regular commitment to the pre-assessment clinic & daytime on call consultant rota (bleep 062). The anaesthetic Department utilises a 12-week rolling schedule. Final timetable to be agreed following successful appointment.

We are currently 15 consultants (including this post) and 17 specialty doctors. We have a single training post in anaesthesia (which is at present occupied by a FY2 post in Intensive Care) and have a training commitment to several ED doctors undertaking consultant accreditation via the CESR route as well as a constant influx of medical students. Allied Services We have 7 operating theatres (4 main, 2 in a separate day case unit, 1 satellite eye theatre) and a dedicated obstetric theatre. We increasingly provide anaesthetic services outside of theatres including: ECT, endoscopy & radiology.

Pre-Assessment The nurse led pre-assessment process of all elective patients is well established at St Marys Hospital. There is a daily consultant anaesthetic clinic available to review anticipated difficult cases and to communicate potential problems to colleagues. We run an Enhanced Recovery Program for orthopaedic, colorectal, and gynaecological surgery. Obstetrics The Maternity unit has about 1200 deliveries per year with an epidural rate of approximately 25% and a caesarean section rate of around 17%.

The Anaesthetic department provides Consultant cover in hours to the labour ward. Out of hours there is a dedicated doctor to provide anaesthesia for obstetrics. Acute Pain Service (APS) The APS is provided by a consultant anaesthetist and a full-time acute pain nurse, supported by ward-based link nurses. Apart from the clinical service, it provides teaching and education for medical and nursing staff.

Post-operative pain is managed in a variety of ways including PCA and PCEA. Ultrasound guided nerve and plexus blockade are also commonly employed techniques. We have recently invested in several state-of-the-art ultrasound machine and developed a protocol for local anaesthetic wound/nerve catheter infiltration postoperatively. The new post holder will be expected to work closely with the APS when implementing new post-operative pain management strategies.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) The unit admits about 400 patients a year. The majority (70%) are critically ill adult medical patients. Paediatric ICU services and the regional neurological unit are based in Southampton. Initial assessment and resuscitation of these patients involves the anaesthetic team.

Critical care outreach is well established, and this nurse led service also lead the hospital at night team. In hours the medical staffing of the unit consists of one of six dedicated ICU consultants supported by a resident specialty doctor. Out of hours the resident speciality doctor staffs the unit and is supported by the general on call consultant in anaesthesia. Weekend ICU ward rounds are undertaken by dedicated ICU consultants.

Chronic Pain Service (CPS) This is an outpatient service open to GPs for malignant and non-malignant pain syndromes. It is provided by a team of two consultants from the Department, a Clinical Psychologist and part-time Nurse Specialist, as well as Specialist Physiotherapists providing Physical Therapy and Acupuncture sessions. The Earl Mountbatten Hospice provides malignant pain control, respite services and terminal care and cooperates closely with the Hospital CPS. The service runs a Pain Management and a Functional Restoration Program on the Island.

Job Planning and Appraisal Post holders will take part in Annual Appraisal and performance review against objectives as well as specific requirements laid out above.