NHS Choices
Find out more about the different types of anaesthesia available, the complications involved, and what happens after surgery at the NHS Choices website.
Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia
Our Anaesthesia services are divided between the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary sites. The Anaesthetic Departments are the largest within the Newcastle Hospitals, comprising over 100 consultant anaesthetists and 60 core and specialist trainees.
General and regional anaesthesia services are provided for a wide spectrum of surgical specialties – from cardiothoracic and transplant surgery based at the Freeman Hospital, to paediatric surgery, trauma and neurosurgery within the newly expanded Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Clinical Expertise when you need it
As consultant anaesthetists we have developed expertise in delivering safe, effective anaesthesia to the many surgical sub-specialties. Our role shadows the patient journey from pre-assessment, in planning and preparing for surgery, through to the safe delivery of anaesthesia for the procedure and postoperatively in the recovery room, on the ward or critical care unit in the post-operative visit to ensure full recovery and adequate pain relief.
Providing safe anaesthetic care 24/7
However, the Anaesthetic Department is involved in much more than delivering anaesthesia in the operating theatre environment. Members of the department provide the bulk of the senior medical Critical Care workforce in the four adult and two paediatric critical care areas and Pain services, both acute and chronic, are also driven by consultant anaesthetists.
Consultant anaesthetists and trainees are a vital component of providing safe out of hours care throughout the hospitals responding to emergencies not only in theatre but also in the Accident and Emergency department and on the wards. As a consultant body, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of care for our patients and strive to continually improve the services that we offer.
