University Hospital North Durham

Contact Details
  • Address: University Hospital North Durham, North Road, Durham, DH1 5TW
  • ICU Department Contact Details - 0191 333 2333
  • Faculty Tutor Name:  Dr Hannah Whinn
Unit Structure
  • Number of Beds: 10        
  • Number of Admissions per year: 540
  • Percentage of Elective vs Emergency Admissions: 20% Elective. 80% Emergency
Overview of Case Mix within the Unit:
  • Combined Level 2/3 Unit with admissions from General Medicine, Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedic Trauma and Revision Surgery, and Plastic Surgery.
  • There is no split site working at this site
Research projects being undertaken within this Unit:
  • Participation with portfolio studies – most recently GenOMICC, T4P, Organ Donation National Audit, SIGNET, SHORTER. 
Overview of the staffing for the Unit (including medical, ACCP, AHPs)
  • Weekdays:      

One consultant 0800-1830 assisted by second “HDU” consultant 0800 - 1230

Two trainees/Trust Grade Doctors 0800 – 2000

Foundation Doctor 0800-1600

  • Out of Hours:  One consultant 1800-0800 (0800-0800 Weekends)

One Trainee / Trust Grade Doctor 2000-0800 (dedicated to Critical Care)

On-site support from Anaesthetics ST3-7 

  • Dedicated Pharmacist, Physio, Dietitian and RaCI teams

 
 

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)
  • Placements provided for Stages 1 & 2 ICM for Anaesthesia, Stages 1-3 of ICM training, as well as ACCS and IMT. We could also support part of advanced training in partnership with a tertiary centre. There are Trust Grade jobs available in the department and we would be happy to work with Advanced Critical Care Practitioners.
  • We also have a Foundation 1 post and provide Foundation taster weeks.
  • Exposure to practical procedures such as percutaneous tracheostomy, vascular access, bronchoscopy, thoracic ultrasound, ECHO (including FICE mentorship), and regional anaesthesia.
Departmental Teaching:
  • Formal ITU teaching is scheduled as part of a weekly Wednesday afternoon teaching programme.

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

  • Governance and M&M takes place every 4th Wednesday.
The medical specialties and subspecialties it is possible to complete within the Trust/Health Board:
  • Stage 1:  Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, ICM and Medicine  
Other facilities: 
  • On site parking. On call room near ITU. Out of hours food via vending machine. Resource room in Anaesthetic Dept