Anaesthetics, Theatres and Intensive Care

This directorate provides services under the above three general headings. A proven commitment to change, education, development, research and quality assurance has kept the directorate at the forefront of quality patient care.

The anaesthetic sub-directorate provides the day-to-day management of the anaesthetic service and most operating suites. These services are provided for all major surgical specialties and consultant anaesthetists also staff and direct the Paediatric and Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Units within the Paediatric and Cardiology directorates.

The Theatres sub-directorate, through flexible utilisation of resources and manpower, ensures that surgical cases have rapid access to an appropriately staffed and equipped operating theatre.

The intensive care sub-directorate has one of the most modern Intensive Care Units in the United Kingdom. As a centre of excellence it provides highly skilled intensive care for the population of Northern Ireland and is prominent in the field of education and research.

Directorate commitment to change has seen the introduction of a hospital wide Acute Pain Service, active promotion of and participation in Day Case Surgery and, the introduction of a Risk Management programme.