Anaesthesia

The anaesthetic department provides a Consultant Anaesthetist led service to:

• The theatres at Weston General Hospital for patients having planned or urgent operations
• The Preoperative Assessment Clinic
• The Acute Pain Service, which is run by a specialist nurse and a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine.

The anaesthetic department also works closely with Critical Care Specialists in the Intensive Care unit to ensure excellent care for patients requiring additional support and monitoring around the time of surgery.

Operating theatres

There are six fully equipped operating theatres at Weston General Hospital, all located on the second floor of the hospital. There are four theatres in the main theatre suite and a further two in the Day Case Unit.

Admission for an operation is usually on the day of surgery; patients will be advised beforehand as to whether they should attend the Theatre Receiving Unit, or the Day Case Unit on the morning of planned surgery. Both are located on the second floor, near the theatres.

The department offices are situated on the second floor of the hospital on the corridor leading to the Intensive Care Unit.
A part time secretary is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A voicemail service is always available at 01934 881296.

Preoperative Assessment Clinic (POAC)

All patients having elective surgery are reviewed in the preoperative assessment clinic prior to surgery. This nurse led clinic is situated in Quantock Outpatients. Consultant Anaesthetists provide sessions to the clinic twice a week, when they assess patients undergoing complex surgery.

Further information on how to prepare for an operation can be found at www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/preparing-to-come-to-hospital/preparing-for-surgery.