Neuroanaesthesia
The Oxford Neuroscience Unit is one of the busiest regional neurosurgical units in the country with an international reputation for the quality of its services. It is involved in many aspects of pioneering work including functional neurosurgery and radiological interventional techniques. The busy unit will provide trainees with unrivalled exposure to all aspects of neurosurgical work. The Oxford Neurosciences Unit moved to a new purpose-built modern facility in the West Wing of the John Radcliffe Hospital in January 2007.
The breadth of Neuroanaesthetic practice makes it possible to offer six month blocks of Advanced Training in Neuroanaesthesia, fulfilling all the criteria of Advanced Training as laid down in the Training Documents of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and preparing the trainee for a career post in Neuroanaesthesia.
There are eight Neurosurgeons who specialise in various aspects of modern neurosurgery including:
- Cerebral tumour and vascular work
- Skull base surgery
- Spinal surgery
- Functional neurosurgery for movement disorders
- Paediatric neurosurgery
In addition there is a team of plastic and neurosurgeons involved in reconstructive craniofacial surgery. There is a very active Neuroradiology Service, which requires anaesthesia for Interventional Neuroradiology and MRI scanning.
The Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit provides level 2 and level 3 specialist critical care to both neurosurgical and neurological patients from the region. The Unit currently contains 8 level 3 critical care beds, with planned expansion over the next few years to a 17 bed unit. Training is provided in the management of the full range of neurosurgical and neurological pathologies, with particular emphasis on the management of traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
There are ten Consultant Anaesthetists in the department with neurosurgical and neuro ITU sessions (six of whom provide day-time ITU cover) who also provide the on-call emergency cover for all West Wing surgical services.
At the end of an Advanced Training Module, trainees should expect to have achieved a level of knowledge and skill required for the competent independent management of most routine neurosurgical cases without direct supervision and to be able to perform complex procedures appropriate for those applying for a Consultant post in neuroanaesthesia.
Neuro Advanced Training Module Job Desription and Prospectus [pdf file download]
