Level 3
Esher Wing
Kingston Hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston
Surrey KY2 7QB
About Us
The Anaesthetic Department is one of the largest in the trust and our doctors provide care for over 50% of patients who visit the hospital. We are a group of 35 consultant anaesthetists, 5 non-consultant specialist anaesthetists and over 30 trust grade and trainee anaesthetists.
Our doctors provide a wide range of clinical work across the trust, including:
Our anaesthetic department was one of the first nationally to achieve the Royal College of Anaesthetists accreditation (ACSA) in 2015 and was recertified in 2020, demonstrating our dedication to providing outstanding quality of care drive to innovate and develop our services.
You can find out more about our department at www.kingstongasdocs.uk
Who are Anaesthetists?
Anaesthetists are doctors with specialist training who are responsible for providing your anaesthetic and looking after you before, during and after surgery. In addition, anaesthetists have a range of practice which extends beyond anaesthesia for surgery and includes pain management and intensive care.
In theatre, the anaesthetist administers the anaesthetic tailored to the individual patient and remains with them throughout the operation, monitoring and treating as necessary the effects of the anaesthetic and the surgery. They also plan and implement the pain relief strategy to ensure that patients are comfortable immediately following the operation.
What is an Anaesthetic?
Anaesthesia stops you feeling pain and unpleasant sensations and can be given in various ways. The different types and which is most suitable will be discussed with you by your anaesthetist prior to any procedure.
General Anaesthesia: Gives a state of controlled unconsciousness, either via injected drugs or inhaled gases. It is essential for some operations and procedures.
Regional Anaesthesia: eg a spinal or nerve block. Involves injections that numb a particular region of your body. You are pain free but may feel some sensations such as pressure. You will remain awake, but it may be combined with sedation.
Local Anaesthesia: An injection numbs a small part of your body, so you are free from pain but still conscious.
Sedation: Gives a ‘sleep like’ state and is often used with a local or regional anaesthetic. Sedation may be light or deep and you may remember everything, something or nothing after sedation.
You can find out more information from the Royal College of Anaesthetist website: [www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources]
We work closely with our surgeons from the point of decision for surgery through to the time to discharge. Once it has been decided you need a procedure, you will be reviewed by our pre-assessment department before the operation can go ahead. At this appointment a nurse or doctor will ask about your health and do some investigations, including blood tests.
You can find out more about what to expect when you come for an operation at Kingston Hospital as an inpatient or in day surgery here [www.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/outpatients/pre-operative-assessment].
Maternity
Our anaesthetic department provides a 24 hour service to the labour ward and maternity department. This includes anaesthesia for elective and emergency caesarean sections, epidurals for pain relief in labour and care of the higher risk pregnancy and mother.
We also work closely with the ante-natal obstetric units to support women who may need additional anaesthetic advice before giving birth with two consultant led antenatal clinics per month.
The Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association (OAA) provide further information about epidurals and other forms of labour pain relief and anaesthesia for caesarean section. The information sheets are available in over 40 different languages and can be found on their website: www.labourpains.com/home.
Contact Us
Tel: 020 8934 2274 / 2272
Anaesthetic Department: Level 3 Esher Wing, Kingston Hospital.
Tel: 020 8934 2274 / 2272
