The Directorate, the largest within the Elective Services Division with 17 theatres (10 with laminar air flow), provides anaesthetic services for all elective surgery: general surgery, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, ENT surgery, urology, opthalmology, dental, gynaecology and ECT services. We undertake approximately 31,000 surgical procedures every year.
It also provides emergency anaesthetic cover for all these surgical specialities on a 24-hour basis, with a 24-hour back-up for resuscitation and patient management for the Emergency Department. The Directorate also supports two maternity theatres with a 24-hour epidural service for analgesia during labour and a 24-hour anaesthetic service for obstetric emergencies, including Caesarean sections.
Consultant anaesthetic cover is provided on a 24-hour basis for critically ill patients within the Intensive Care Unit. The Unit comprises a seven bed, level three area and four bed, level two area and treats approximately 550 patients per year.
Post operative patients are cared for on two wards – SSSU (Short Stay Surgical Unit) and the DCU (Day Case Unit). The DCU provides post operative care to those patients who have undergone less complex elective surgical procedures and who are often able to return home on the same day of surgery.
Additionally, the Directorate provides both an Acute and Chronic Pain service led by three consultant anaesthetists.
The Directorate services and anaesthetists are supported round-the-clock by a highly skilled and flexible workforce comprising operating department practitioners and specialist nurses.
Our aim is to provide the highest quality care possible, safely.
Further information is available in our patient information leaflets.
Contact us
Dr Colin Wasson – Clinical Director and Consultant Anaesthetist - 0161 419 5869
Yvonne McVey – Business Manager – 0161 419 5866
Maureen Kelly – Head of Nursing – 0161 419 5709