The primary role of Anaesthetists is to see a patient on the ward on the day of surgery to discuss the type of anaesthesia available, dependent on the type and site of surgery, health of the patient and whether a day case on in-patient procedure.
Types of anaesthesia include general anaesthetic by intravenous or, on occasion, gas induction, epidural, or regional (local) block. An Anaesthetist also considers the level and type of pain relief the patient may need. Patients may also be treated by an Anaesthetist on the wards if the patient is struggling with the pain relief, perhaps in A&E or on the maternity ward during labour.
Why might patients be referred to this department?
Patients are normally only seen by an anaesthetist if they are having surgery, including a caesarean section, which will involve some kind of pain management, as part of the clinical pathway for an operation.
Some patients may be asked to see the Anaesthetist prior to the day of surgery if they have other health problems that the Anaesthetist may need to discuss further.
What will happen and who will you meet?
Patients are most likely to meet an anaesthetist prior to and on the day of a surgical operation, this may be a Consultant Anaesthetist, middle grade (non-consultant) Anaesthetist or a junior doctor.
The patient’s general health will be discussed along with the available or preferred option for anaesthesia. The patient will meet the Anaesthetist again when then are taken into the anaesthetic room in theatre, where the anaesthesia will be performed to either put the patient into a state of sleep, or perform another method of anaesthesia ready for surgery.
Once the operation has been completed the anaesthetist will see the patient again in the theatre recovery area and again later on the ward.
Patients should receive information and instructions from the anaesthetic department as part of the information leaflets given out at the pre-operative assessments and in the letter informing the patient of the date of surgery. The instructions are normally about taking appropriate medication and about not eating or drinking for a period of time prior to the operation.
Where can you find these services?
Anaesthetists are available on all sites where surgery is performed.
When is the department open?
The Anaesthetic department provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week service for planned and emergency operations.
Planned operations are normally scheduled from Monday to Friday, between 8:45am and 5:30pm. The department provides assistance to all areas of the hospital as an emergency service outside of these hours
How can you contact the department?
North Manchester General Hospital, telephone: 0161 720 2280
Key Members of Staff
Jane Bryan, Directorate Manager.
Dr B Saha, Clinical Director at The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General Hospital & North Manchester General Hospital.