Darlington Memorial Hospital

Contact Details
  • Address: Darlington Memorial Hospital, Hollyhurst road, Darlington, DL3 6HX
  • ICU Department Contact Details - 01325 743212   
  • Faculty Tutor Name:  Dr Emma Cox
Unit Structure
  • Number of Beds:  12 Bed Spaces but funded for 11 (5 L3 : 6 L2 with max 8 L3)   
  • Number of Admissions per year: Level 3: 220   Level 2: 360
  • Percentage of Elective vs Emergency Admissions: 160 surgical, 420 medical. 17 of 580 elective planned (post surgical) 
Overview of Case Mix within the Unit:
  • Mix of medical and surgical emergency admissions. 
  • Post op elective managed by separate PACU unit. 
  • Medical specialities on site include cardiology, respiratory (separate ARU for NIV), gastro, endocine, haematology and care of the elderly. 
  • Surgical specialities include colorectal, upper GI, gynaecology, ENT, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and obstetrics.
  • There is no split site working 
Research projects being undertaken within this Unit:
  • ABBRPUT
  • MOSSAIC
  • GUARDS
  • SIGNET
  • T4P
  • Genomic
Overview of the staffing for the Unit (including medical, ACCP, AHPs)
  • We have 13 Band 6s, 46 Bands 5s, 7 band 3s
  • Medically we have 12 consultant on call rota and 12 SAS doctors (2 specialist) who support the first and second on call rota
  • Full complement of RCI team (SALT, Dietetics, Physio, consultant and co ordinator)

  • In reach nurse led acute intervention team for back of house management and liaison with ITU

    Weekdays:

  • One consultant 0800-1830 assisted by second consultant 0800 - 1230
  • 1st on call trainee / Trust Grade 0800 – 20:00
  • 2nd on call trainee (obs competent) / trust grade 08:00 – 20:00

  • One to two daytime trainees including IMT’s 08:00 – 18:00

    Out of Hours:  

  • One consultant 08:00 20:00 assisted by second consultant 0800 – 1230 (w/e days)
  • One Trainee / Trust Grade Doctor 2000-0800 (dedicated to Critical Care)
  • On site support from Anaesthetics ST3-7 
  • Non resident consultant cover 20:00 – 08:00 nights 
 

Training

Training opportunities when working at this Unit:
  • Training in point of care ultrasound
  • Opportunity to attend theatre for airway experience
  • Exposure to paediatric emergencies
  • Interhospital transfers 
  • Acting up as an ICM Consultant (for Stage 3 trainees)
Departmental Teaching:

  • Joint anaesthetic weekly teaching programme

  • Access to local tertiary hospital dedicated ICM weekly teaching programme

  • Local sim sessions related to recent cases and SG including transfer, difficult airway and major haemorrhage

Details of clinical governance meeting days and/or M & M:                             

  • Monthly ICM governance and M&M. 
  • Anaesthetic governance afternoon every 2 months.
The medical specialties and subspecialties it is possible to complete within the Trust/Health Board:
  • Stage 1:  Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Medicine
Other facilities: 
  • Carparking passes arranged at induction (not free)
  • Changing room lockers provided
  • On call rooms provided for overnight or post shift rest
  • Vending machines for overnight food including microwave meals (no canteen out of hours),
  • ICM office with refreshment facilities and appropriate to work in during EDT, coffee rooms in both theatres and ITU with access to kitchen facilities and hot drinks.