The role of the Anaesthetist

Anaesthetists are doctors who have undergone specialised training in anaesthesia, pain relief and intensive care. Their medical background gives them the expertise to deal with a number of emergency situations requiring breathing and circulatory support.

The Anaesthetist may visit you before your operation to assess your health and determine your fitness for the anaesthetic as well as plan the type of anaesthetic you would have and answer any questions you may have.

There are three types of anaesthetic- general, regional (usually spinal or epidural) and local.

If you are having a general anaesthetic, you would be put to sleep with an injection into a vein or by breathing through a mask. If it is a regional or local anaesthetic, the area of the operation would be numbed. Although you may be awake, you would not be watching the operation and may be given some medication to make you feel relaxed. You may be administered one or a combination of these three anaesthetics.

Your Anaesthetist will be present by your side throughout your operation keeping a close eye on your condition, administering additional anaesthesia, pain relief, anti-sickness medicines, fluid and blood as required. At the end of your operation, if you have been put to sleep, the anaesthetic will be reversed so that you start awakening as you are leaving the operation theatre or in the recovery ward.

Your anaesthetist will ensure that you are in a good condition and as free of pain and sickness as possible at the end of your operation.

If you are admitted to the hospital following your operation, one of the Anaesthetists would visit you again over the next few days, to ensure that you have adequate pain relief.

Anaesthetists also provide epidural pain relief for women in labour whenever indicated.

Medical Staff for Downe Hospital

Medical Staff for Lagan Valley Hospital

Medical Staff for Downe Hospital