Anaesthetics (children)
All planned surgery for children, as well as the majority of emergency surgery, is performed in a brand-new, state-of-the-art operating theatre complex built especially for children. This includes both an integrated recovery, and a modern high dependency unit (HDU) for sick children requiring closer observation. Children coming for day case surgery have their own admission and discharge areas away from adult patients.
There are 10 anaesthetic consultants who have specialist experience in paediatric (children’s) anaesthesia. These doctors provide a full range of anaesthetic support for neonates, infants and children, and have a dedicated on-call schedule. Because of this, there is always a specialist available for children requiring an anaesthetic any time of the day or night, every day of the year.
Anaesthesia is provided by this dedicated team for a wide range of both elective (planned) and emergency operations, including anaesthesia for surgery on newborn and premature babies. In addition, the anaesthetic service covers paediatric patients requiring surgery for burns, imaging such as CT and MRI, or other interventions in the X-ray department.
The children’s anaesthetists provide vital support to the children’s high dependency unit, especially for children who require assistance with their breathing following surgery. The pain service for children is consultant-led, too.
Children’s anaesthetists also support the children’s pre-assessment unit so that children with complex medical needs are thoroughly assessed and prepared before their surgery is due to take place.
Sharing our expertise and skills is important to us, and the Chelsea & Westminster anaesthetic department is one of the main teaching centres in London for training doctors wishing to extend their competencies in children’s anaesthesia.
Consultants and key staff
- Dr Mike Weston, Lead Consultant
- Elizabeth Colton, Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Nurse
Patient leaflet
Further information
- Find out more about our Children's Services
- Find out more about Children's Pre-anaesthetic Assessment
