Working for us

The Directorate of Surgical Services comprises of the following surgical specialities:

Breast and onco-plastic
upper gastrointestinal
colorectal
hepatobiliary, liver and transplantation
vascular
endoscopy
endocrine and thyroid service, and
general.

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Ward 36 – Northern Oesophago-Gastric Unit

This is a 20-bedded unit incorporating 4 special care beds and 16 surgical beds. This ward supports elective admissions for patients requiring oesophagectomy and gastrectomy. The ward staffs work closely with the critical care unit to ensure the patients’ are transferred to the special care unit promptly following surgery. The team also supports patients requiring investigations, anti-reflux surgery, endoscopic procedures and palliation. Ward 36 receives direct upper GI emergency admissions and on occasion, general surgery emergency admissions.

Ward 44

This is a 27-bedded unit divided into 2 areas. The surgical assessment suite is a 12-bedded unit caring for emergency patients following transfer to ward 44 via the emergency department for investigations and potential surgical intervention. The remaining 15 beds on the ward will provide specialist care for patients with intestinal failure. The care delivery is provided by medical and surgical teams, supported by specialist nurses and the wider allied healthcare professional, multidisciplinary team.

Ward 45 – Day Case Unit

This is a 12 bedded day-case unit and day of surgery arrival area. The majority of patients are admitted for elective surgery or emergency pathways of care. There is a seven-bedded area for inpatient admissions, which opens from Monday to Friday afternoon. There are a range of shift patterns, which supports the day case environment and internal rotation to provide care to the 7-inpatient beds.

Ward 46 – Colorectal Surgery

This is a 29-bedded ward which admits elective and emergency colorectal conditions. It is a tertiary centre and cares for very complex colorectal conditions. The complexity of the patients conditions allow the nursing staff to develop a vast skill set including central line management, fistula management, enhanced nutritional assistance and psychological support.

Freeman Hospital

Ward 5

This is a 26-bedded unit providing care to patients with complex hepatobiliary conditions. The ward admits elective and emergency patients, whilst supporting regional tertiary referrals. There is a step down area for patients returning from the critical care environments who require enhanced nursing support. Patients are also admitted for investigations and palliative care support. The skill set of the nursing staff is highly developed to support the patient’s recovery and this provides great learning opportunities.

Ward 6

This 28-bedded ward cares for patients with colorectal, vascular and some hepatobiliary conditions. Due to the diversity of its patients, nurses will develop a range of skills and broaden their surgical knowledge. There are elective and non-elective admissions and the ward also receives transfers from critical care and cares for palliative patients.

Ward 7

The Regional Liver Unit has 27 beds, and provides care and support to hepatobiliary patients undergoing investigation and surgical procedures. This ward receives elective and non-elective admissions. The patients often post operatively return from critical care to ward 7 and the staff therefore have a range of skills. There are many opportunities for development.

Ward 8

The Northern Vascular Centre unit supports the region with complex vascular surgery. The ward has 31 beds and receives tertiary referrals. Patients are admitted electively or as emergencies though the Assessment Suite at the Freeman Hospital. The role of the nurse incorporates enhanced wound management skills; psychological support; mobilisation techniques; nutritional support and complex discharge planning. This area provides great opportunities to develop new skills and relationships with a large multidisciplinary patient focused team.

Endoscopy

There are also two endoscopy units in the Trust – one on the RVI site and the other on the Freeman Hospital site.

Both units carry out gastroscopy and colonoscopy as standard but also range of specialist services and receive tertiary referrals. Both are JAG accredited and recognised for their quality standards.

There are many learning opportunities in the units and staff rotate through the four areas from admission, to the procedure rooms, to recovery and then into the discharge area. Staff are trained to consent patients, cannulate, prescribe certain medications and pre-assess patients prior to their procedure. The units are part of the bowel screening programme. There are vast learning and development opportunities due to the diversity of the units with internal and external training.

Shift Patterns

We operate a varying shift pattern that includes internal rotation.

Within the endoscopy units, there is 6-day working on the RVI site and late evenings until 8pm on the Freeman Site. The shifts are usually over a 4 day working week.

The ward environments have a range of shift patterns including 12-hour shifts and shorter shifts, usually over a 4 day working week.

Staff Groups

We have the following staff working within the departments, Matron, Sister / Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clinical Educator, Outreach, Staff Nurses, Assistant Practitioners, Nurse Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Ward Clerks and Housekeeper.

Staff Training

We provide a preceptorship package that supports staff to thrive in their new role and gives an excellent structure to develop and learn new skills.
There is a period of supernumerary status whilst the individual settles into the surgical environment.
This process is also enhanced by the support of the surgical clinical educator who is on hand to deliver training and increase learning opportunities.
All environments have a supportive link through Clinical Supervision.
There is access to internal and external education programmes and courses.