Theatres

The Theatre Directorate in Sunderland consists of 22 Operating Theatres.

The Theatres are located over 3 floors, C level, D Level and F floor.

C level consists of 8 theatres covering a wide range of surgical specialities, including General Surgery, ENT, Oral/Max Fax, and Bariatric Surgery. 2 of the theatres on C Level floor are dedicated Digital Theatres & 1 Theatre is also home to a state-of-the-art Vascular theatre.  The emergency Theatre is also located on this floor which provides a 24 hour emergency service.

D level consists of 9 theatres covering Orthopaedic Trauma, Orthopaedic elective Surgery & Gynaecology. 5 of the theatres on D level have specialised laminar flow ventilation systems, imperative for joint replacement.

There is also a purpose built block room which is located in D level theatre. This room provides Regional Anaesthesia for Upper limb, lower limb, Hip, Knee & Hand surgery as well as other specialities where needed. The block room also aids the efficiency of throughput on elective lists by allowing parallel processing of patients.

There are an additional 2 theatres in a separate wing of the hospital which are specialist Urology theatres (with the facility for extensive robotic-assisted surgery).

On F floor there are two specialised Paediatric theatres.

Preoperative Risk, Evaluation and Preparation Clinic (PREP)

Before undergoing a planned surgery, you will be required to attend a PREP clinic, for Preoperative Risk Evaluation and Preparation. This is a nurse-led service with clinical advice provided by Anaesthetic Consultants.

Alongside working in the operating areas, our Anaesthetic teams also:

• Look after our critically ill patients in the Integrated Critical Care Unit
• Provide outreach service to at-risk patients in the wards
• Offer 24 hours cover for the maternity unit for women requiring pain relief with epidural during labour or requiring caesarean section
• Deliver advice for inpatients having difficulties with pain after surgery or long standing pain. For those in chronic pain, outpatient clinics are situated around the region to bring patient-care closer to their homes in the community.

Durham Treatment Centre

Our new Durham Treatment Centre (DTC) opened its door to patients on Monday 2nd July 2018.
The DTC provides a specialist hub for patients in the Durham area who have previously had to travel to Sunderland, Bishop Auckland, Shotley Bridge and Sacriston for their care. It also includes a renal dialysis service.

The 2,500sqm facility on Belmont Industrial Estate has been designed to give patients in the local area better access to key specialist services. Services will include day case surgery in a range of specialties.

We have six operating theatres each with their own anaesthetic room. Following surgery patients are cared for in our fully equipped recovery room.  We also have a minor operation theatre which is predominantly used most days for community dentals.

The surgical specialities that we provide to our patients are orthopaedics, general surgery including laparoscopic colorectal surgery, Gynaecology, day case urology and community dentals.

South Tyneside Pre-Operative Assessment Service

The Pre-operative Assessment service is available to all adult patients requiring day case or in-patient elective surgery. Specialities include general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology and urology.

The patient assessment is undertaken to ensure patients are physically fit for anaesthesia / surgery and psychologically prepared for the admission, surgery, hospital stay, discharge and rehabilitation. The assessment also incorporates elements of social care and early discharge planning.

Specific individual patient needs can be identified and an appropriate plan of care compiled, for example sensory impairment, learning disabilities, mental health, mental capacity, interpreter issues.

South Tyneside Pre-Operative Assessment Service: 0191 4041067

Sunderland Royal Hospital:
D Level Theatres: 01915656256 Ext. 42581
C Level Theatres: 01915656256 Ext. 49019

Durham Treatment Centre: 0191 5410260

South Tyneside District Hospital:

Theatres at South Tyneside are conveniently located on the first floor of the hospital next to the surgical centre.

Our Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic is on the 3rd Floor, Ingham Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital.
 

Sunderland Royal Hospital:

Both C Level and D Level can be accessed via any entrance within the hospital and by following the signs for theatres.

Durham Treatment Centre:

The Centre is located just outside of Durham City Centre on Belmont Industrial Park, DH1 1HP.

Clinical Director

Martin Millar

Clinical Co-Director

James Tulloch 

Divisional Director

Helen Turnbull

Associate Divisional Director

Caroline Bell

Directorate Manager

Sue Askew

Matrons

Dawn Jones

Jayne Billings

Theatre Managers

Louisa Robinson

Nina Priestley

Directorate Support

Gayle Jackson