Welcome to the anaesthetic department at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. We also have colleagues working at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston looking after babies, children and young people on the children’s ward there.
Anaesthetists (sometimes known as ‘sleepy doctors’) look after any child who needs to come to hospital for a procedure, scan or treatment needing sedation or a general anaesthetic. We are a department of consultants, trainees, specialist nurses and play specialists caring for children before, during and after their procedure.
On this page you can find out what we do, who we are and how you can feel more prepared for your visit to the hospital.
What does an anaesthetist do?
We are in charge of getting each patient off to sleep, keeping them safe whilst they are asleep, and making sure that when they wake up, they are comfortable and all the right people are with them.
To do this safely we come to see each patient before their operation, usually on the day that they come to hospital. We talk about their general health and any recent or ongoing medical complaints, we ask about any regular medicines that they take, whether they have any allergies and previous experiences of anaesthetics (if any). We will answer any questions about the anaesthetic and make a plan for how to go ahead, explaining everything along the way. Sometimes we meet our patients in a clinic a few weeks before surgery takes place – if this happens, a letter is posted with a clinic appointment date and time.
Alongside our specialist pain nurses, anaesthetists are part of the pain team, helping to keep children comfy wherever they are in the hospital and whatever the cause of their pain. We also see children with more chronic conditions in outpatient clinics. Some of us work in critical care and we are all involved in the Emergency Department and helping in an emergency anywhere in the hospital. Some of us even get to fly and help patients in the air ambulance!
Alongside our specialist pain nurses, anaesthetists are part of the pain team, helping to keep children comfy wherever they are in the hospital and whatever the cause of their pain. We also see children with more chronic conditions in outpatient clinics. Some of us work in critical care and we are all involved in the Emergency Department and helping in an emergency anywhere in the hospital. Some of us even get to fly and help patients in the air ambulance! Meet the team
Directors
Medical Director for Women’s and Children’s Services
Dr Eddie Doyle
Clinical Director for Surgery & Anaesthetics
Dr Jon McCormack
Consultant Anaesthetists
Dr Alastair Baxter
Dr Suzanne Boyle
Dr Emma Dickson
Dr Cariad Findlater
Dr Julie Freeman
Dr Tessa Housden
Dr Andras Husz
Dr Suzanne Krosnar
Dr Omair Malik
Dr Naomi May
Dr Jillian McFazdean
Dr Karen McGrath
Dr Phil Neal
Dr Mary Rose
Dr David Rowney
Dr Pamela Winton
Dr Colin Young
Departmental Secretary
Margaret McPheely
Pain Nurses
Mandy Hamilton
Donna Cowie
Louise Cox
Crichton Ward, Play Specialists
Lesley-Anne
Ishbel
Diane
Aisling
Trainees
As a teaching hospital and the paediatric trauma centre for south-east Scotland, we often have visitors coming to learn with us - from undergraduate medical school students to anaesthetic trainees to visiting consultants. We are delighted to have them training here and hope you can also appreciate the role they play both now and in the future. Please know that they will always have an appropriate level of supervision and support from our regular consultants.Types of Anaesthetic
There are two main ways of going to sleep (having a ‘general’ anaesthetic):
- using medicines given through a cannula or ‘straw’ often put into the back of the hand with the help of some magic numbing cream.
- by breathing in some sleepy gas via a facemask.
Having an anaesthetic: feeling prepared
The reason for your visit should have been discussed with you by your doctor or surgeon whenever your procedure was planned, usually during a clinic appointment. A few days before you come to hospital a phone call will be made to your parent or carer by one of the nurses who will check you are well, ask some questions, confirm your fasting plan and make sure you know when and where you need to be on the day.
Most of the time you will be asked to come in on the day, usually to Crichton Ward at the RHCYP – our surgical day-case unit. You will be met by one of the nursing team and shown to a bed space or waiting area where the medical team and anaesthetist can see you, go through any paperwork and answer any questions. Sometimes it helps to write down your questions before you come – feel free to bring a list to help you remember!
Fasting
Fasting means not having anything to eat or to drink for a certain amount of time. Children need to have an empty stomach when they come for their anaesthetic – this means no food for 6 hours beforehand (including cow’s milk or formula), and no breast milk for 4 hours beforehand. Clear fluids like water, diluting juice (or even black tea or coffee!) are ok up until an hour before surgery. Most children are given one of two arrival times: If you have been asked to arrive at 7.30am or 8am, the first operations will start at 9am. Food is not allowed from 3am and no breast milk after 5am. If you have been asked to arrive at 12 noon, operations start from 1.30pm. Food is not allowed after 7.30am and no breast milk after 9.30am. Late changes, emergencies and cancellations mean that the exact time for each child’s operation is only known on the day. Staff on the ward will keep everyone up to date and confirm the latest time each child can have a drink until (e.g. water or diluting juice). A snack is offered to each child after they have recovered from their operation or procedure – usually some freshly-made toast and a drink. Delicious! If you have any questions about fasting, or need to check the times for your child, please check your admissions letter or call Crichton Ward on 0131 312 0970 (Monday-Friday, 8am–5pm).Further information
The Royal College of Anaesthetists has some helpful activities, guides and leaflets all about having an anaesthetic with versions for adults, children and young people.
There are some common risks, events and side effects that otherwise healthy children can face when having a general anaesthetic.
