Consultant in Anaesthesia

The department of anaesthetics works across the Trust, although all Consultants have a site base for their on-call. There is an expectation that all anaesthetists will be willing and able to work sessions in both hospitals to enable all to maintain a full range of anaesthetic skills.

All anaesthetic consultants at CIC work flexibly in time and theatre location, with rotas published 6 weeks in advance. This enables consultants to maintain their skills across a wide range of specialities. For more complex areas - for example ICU, vascular, upper GI, and major ENT a smaller pool within the body of Consultants with special interests will work flexibly to provide cover for elective lists. This flexible working enables the department to provide a high quality out-of-hours service across the full range of specialities, including paediatric anaesthesia - as required, despite there being only 2 Consultants on-call.

The Anaesthetic department provides a service for elective and emergency surgery, intensive and high dependency care, maternity, acute and chronic pain, pre-assessment and resuscitation described in more detail below.

The anaesthetic department currently works a flexible rota; however areas of clinical interest, in terms of clinical theatre sessions, can be agreed. Fixed days of working can be agreed through the Trusts Flexible working policy.

The major redevelopment and new build at WCH, including a new theatre complex and ITU, opened in October 2015. Ongoing £40 million re-development works commenced in 2021.

The Anaesthetic department provides a service for elective and emergency surgery, intensive and high dependency care, maternity, acute and chronic pain, pre-assessment and resuscitation described in more detail below.

The anaesthetic department currently works a flexible rota; however areas of clinical interest, in terms of clinical theatre sessions, can be agreed. Fixed days of working can be agreed through the Trusts Flexible working policy.

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of ‘safe, high quality care every time':
Being a clinically led organisation

Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust

A positive patient experience every time

A great place to work

Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Theatres

The anaesthetic department at CIC provides anaesthetic services for elective surgery in 6 inpatient, and 3 day surgery theatres, as well as a separate “NCEPOD” theatre and obstetric theatre.

In terms of emergency cover the department provides anaesthetic services for 24/7 emergency operating theatre, A&E, obstetrics, and intensive care, as well as ventilated patient transfers as required, most commonly to the North East.

The anaesthetic department at WCH provides anaesthetic services for elective surgery in 6 inpatient and 1 day surgery theatre, plus an obstetric theatre. Anaesthesia is provided for general surgery, urology, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmic surgery and dentistry with a concentration on day surgery, and short stay surgery.

In terms of emergency cover the department provides anaesthetic services for 24/7 emergency obstetric theatre, A&E, and intensive care, as well as ventilated patient transfers as required, most commonly to the Cumberland Infirmary and North East of England.

The Clinical Director for Anaesthetics is Dr Geet Verma