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Job overview

Consultant in Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine with an Interest in Preoperative Assessment 

The Royal Marsden Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine provides a consultant-delivered service across the Trust. The emphasis is on delivering exceptional evidence-based and compassionate care to cancer patients. There are 7 operating theatres at the Chelsea site and 2 at the Sutton site. In Chelsea, the case mix is predominantly complex major surgery across a wide range of specialities: upper gastrointestinal  (oesophagectomy, gastrectomy), lower gastrointestinal (total pelvic exenteration, rectal and colonic resections), gynaecology (ovarian debulking, hysterectomy), urology  (prostatectomy, cystectomy, nephrectomy), sarcoma (retroperitoneal sarcoma resection, melanoma and peripheral sarcoma resection), head and neck, and plastics (breast free flap reconstruction, pelvic reconstruction). There is a well-established robotic  programme. Breast surgery and brachytherapy is also performed in Chelsea theatres, as well as adult vascular access (Portacath insertion). In Sutton, the case mix includes breast, sarcoma and plastics (typically day case procedures); there is also a vascular access service (adult and paediatric). Theatres are equipped with modern equipment and electronic  anaesthetic charts. 

Main duties of the job

The pre-assessment unit in Chelsea sees over 6000 patients a year. There is a consultant anaesthetist clinic five days a week, and a cardiopulmonary exercise testing service two days a week. Echocardiography is also available daily. In Sutton there are daily nurse-led preassessment clinics with a weekly consultant clinic. Given the increased demands on the preassesment service, it is anticipated that this service may increase to two consultant clinics on one day a week. There is a strong focus on pre-operative optimisation before major surgery with early engagement of the multidisciplinary team (anaemia management, exercise programmes, frailty assessment, dietetic and psychological support, and enhanced recovery education). There are regular high-risk anaesthetic meetings for discussion of complex patients.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.