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Anaesthetic Department

Anaesthetists are highly trained doctors who work in many areas of Harrogate District Hospital in addition to providing anaesthetics for operations. Anaesthetics are used during some tests and operations to induce sleep or numb sensation to prevent pain and discomfort.

Our anaesthetic consultants work alongside non-consultant anaesthetists (including trainee anaesthetists) to provide safe, effective and personalised care to every patient we see, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Surgery and anaesthesia

The care we provide usually starts in the Pre-Operative Assessment & Admissions Unit (PAAU) where anaesthetists support the nurse-led Pre-Assessment Service. During this service, patients are screened and may undergo investigations prior to their planned surgery. This surgery takes place in either the Day Surgery Unit or Main Theatres.

Patients will meet their anaesthetist on the day of surgery, before their procedure. This is an opportunity to discuss the most appropriate mode of anaesthesia for the patient’s personal circumstances. These options include:

  • General anaesthetic (going to sleep)
  • Regional anaesthetic (such as an epidural, spinal, or a ‘nerve block’)
  • Sedation
  • A combination of the above.

Other anaesthetic services

Our anaesthetists also provide:

  • Anaesthesia for children over the age of two who need surgery
  • Pain relief (analgesia) for theatre and the post-operative recovery period
  • Specialist pain advice as part of the Acute Pain Service
  • Epidural pain relief for delivery on Labour Ward
  • Anaesthesia for mothers who require surgery for, or shortly after, delivery (offered 24 hours a day)
  • Care of critically ill adults in the Intensive Care/High Dependency Unit
  • Outreach support to the wards and the Emergency Department
  • Stabilisation of critically ill children prior to retrieval by the specialist children’s transport teams

Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation

Harrogate District Hospital’s Department of Anaesthesia was awarded the prestigious Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) by the Royal College of Anaesthetists in May 2015. The Department was the second in the United Kingdom to receive this accreditation which is awarded when a department can demonstrate quality anaesthesia service provision.

Key staff

Department Secretary: Mrs Tracey Johnson

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