Neuroanaesthesia and Critical Care

Service detail

The Department of Neuroanaesthesia and Critical Care consists of specialist doctors in the field of neuro-anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. Approximately half of the consultants also work on the Critical Care Unit at The Walton Centre.

Neuro-anaesthesia is a speciality within the field of anaesthesia and our consultants have sub-speciality interests within this field such as anaesthesia for neuro-radiology, awake neuro-surgery, neuro-oncology surgery, functional neuro-surgery, neuro-vascular surgery and spinal surgery amongst others. Specialist care is provided for those requiring both elective surgery, and emergency surgery 24 hours a day.

In addition to collaborating with different trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside region, we also work closely with Aintree Hospital, with whom we share a site, to provide emergency neuro-anaesthesia to the regional major trauma centre at Aintree Hospital.

The theatre staff consists of nurses and operating department practitioners who specialise in anaesthesia, recovery and scrub (working with the surgeons during operations). In addition, we have a team of health care assistants who help care for the patient under anaesthesia and can help to carry out procedures.

Prior to an elective operation, you will be invited to a pre-operative assessment clinic. Here, specialist nurses will assess all aspects of your health and arrange for any extra tests you need before an operation. They may also arrange for you to be reviewed by a consultant anaesthetist if required. This clinic is a good opportunity for you to ask questions about your anaesthetic, and you will also be given a leaflet to take home which will explain the process and risks involved.

Our Critical Care/Intensive Care Unit is one of the largest dedicated neuro-critical care units in Europe. We specialise in looking after both neuro-surgical patients around the time of their operation, whether this is elective or emergency, and also neurology patients. We have patients on the unit from all over Cheshire and Merseyside, and also North Wales and the Isle of Man. The doctors on the unit are supported by a team of specialists who can help you get better quicker. These include physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists and nurses who specialise in neuro-critical care. We also have a cohort of Advanced Critical Care Practitioners who come from a diverse clinical background and support the medical staff with practical procedures, patient assessment and treatment and prescribing.

The Neuroanaesthesia and Critical Care Department is part of the training network for anaesthetic and intensive care trainees, with some fellows coming from around the world to work with us at The Walton Centre. We also host foundation doctors and neuro-surgical trainees who rotate through the critical care unit as part of their training.

Department of Neuroanaesthesia and Critical Care - key staff

Dr Sandeep Lakhani – Divisional Clinical Director, Neurosurgical division

Dr Akshay Sule – Clinical Director of Anaesthesia and Critical Care

Oonagh Doherty – Matron for Critical Care

Katie Bradbrook – Lead nurse for pre-op assessment

Theatre Team

• Victoria Lightfoot - Theatre Matron
• Olivia Cox - Clinical Lead for Cranial Surgery
• Christina Byrne - Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery
• Oliver Tierney - Clinical Lead for Education, Risk and Governance
• David Phillips - Clinical Lead for Anaesthetics, Recovery and Estates
• Rani Varghese - Clinical Lead for Pain and Functional surgery