Royal United Hospital, Bath

Contact Details
  • Address: Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG
  • ICU Department Contact Details - 01225 825057
  • Faculty Tutor Name:  Dr Charlie Pope - charlie.pope@nhs.net
Unit Structure
  • Number of Beds: 16                     
  • Number of Admissions per year: 967 (2023 / 24)
  • Percentage of Elective vs Emergency Admissions: 15% elective vs 85% emergency
Overview of Case Mix within the Unit:
  • 42% surgical cases, 58% non-surgical
  • The RUH is a district general hospital and the majority of our work is emergency admissions.

  • The mean patient age is 61 years with average length of stay 2.7 days.

  • The majority of our patients (76%) have a clinical frailty score of 4 or less. Our standardised mortality ratio is 0.93.

  • There is no split site working within this Unit
Research projects being undertaken within this Unit:

We have an active research portfolio supported by a team of nurses and are currently recruiting to UK-ROX, MARCH, SHORTER and AIRWAYS-3 trials
Overview of the staffing for the Unit (including medical, ACCP, AHPs)

Our medical staffing is covered by two resident doctors (or ACCPs) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

During a day shift there is also a senior resident (Specialist Dr or SpR) 7 days a week, and a senior anaesthetic registrar provides cover overnight.

An FY1 doctor works during weekdays.

There is senior cover provided by 2 consultants 7 days a week.

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 
  • Opportunity to attend a Cardiac Catheterisation lab
  • Acting up as an ICM Consultant (for Stage 3 trainees) 

  • Other: ICU Follow Up clinic and Outreach Team Shadowing
Departmental Teaching:
  • Weekly FUSIC club
  • Weekly teaching provided to junior residents
  • Also weekly meetings covering one of clinical governance, M&M, journal club, simulation or visiting speakers

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

  • One session of clincal governance per month
  • One session of M&M per month
  • Newer joint M&M sessions running with other specialities (ED, Stroke) ad hoc
The medical specialties and subspecialties it is possible to complete within theTrust/Health Board:
  • Stage 1:  Emergency Medicine, Medicine & Anaesthesia   

Which SSYs are offered in your unit:                     

  • Critical Care Echo
  • Education           
Other facilities: 

  • Parking on site is available, as well as secure bicycle lock up areas.

  • There are showers and changing rooms available on ICU.

  • Rest facilities are provided on ICU.

  • Food is available from the hospital restaurant.

  • Non-clinical time and work spaces are provided.