Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

On call casesGetting senior helpYou must seek help from a more senior anaesthetist in variousspecific circumstances outlined in this handbook, and in any casewhere you are unsure of, or inexperienced in, the required course ofaction. On occasion, this will mean telephoning a consultant. The restof this section is written with that in mind, though the advice is morewidely applicable.All on call consultants are available via the University Hospitalswitchboard using a variety of means – telephones, pagers, bleepsetc. Discuss your needs with the switchboard operator and tell them ifit is urgent. The departmental standard for consultant attendance, ifneeded, is within 30 minutes of a call (60 minutes for the St CrossHospital). In cases of urgent clinical need ask any nearby staff to findthe nearest senior anaesthetist promptly.Decide before contacting a consultant:• Whether you need them to come in to the hospital, and if so howquickly. State your request clearly at the start of the phone call.This will assist the consultant whom you call to determine theappropriate response, which may include changing therecommendation.Alternatively:• Whether you want to let the consultant know about somethingyou feel they should know.• Whether you need advice from them on clinical or organisationalmatters.It is important to know what you want from a consultant. Rememberthat they may have just woken up and have not seen the patient, soyou have to provide the information on which a decision can betaken.Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010 45