Bridgend Anaesthetists Limited
Bridgend Anaesthetists Limited (BAL) provides anaesthesia services to the patients
in the Bridgend Clinic. These anaesthetists are all accredited Consultants working
in the NHS in BroMorgannwg NHS Trust. The Anaesthetists work on a daily rota system.
There are 2 consultant anaesthetists available Monday to Thursday and 1 consultant
from Friday to Sunday. The benefit to the patient is there is a Consultant Anaesthetist
available 24 hours a day to provide support and advice to both the surgeons and
the nursing staff.
Before the Operation
Your anaesthetist will meet with you on the ward and will take your medical history
and discuss the anaesthetic methods that are appropriate for you personally. Sometimes
you can make choices if you want to. We try to offer individual care. You and your
anaesthetist can work together to make your experience as pleasant and free from
pain as possible. Occasionally, if you have a complicated medical history or have
had problems with previous anaesthesia, your surgeon may recommend a visit to meet
the anaesthetist before you come in for your operation.
Your anaesthetist will:
- discuss types of anaesthesia with you and find out what
you would like, helping you to make choices
- discuss the risks of anaesthesia with you
- agree a plan with you for your anaesthetic and pain control
- be responsible for giving your anaesthetic, and for your
well-being and safety throughout your surgery
- manage any blood transfusions you may need
- plan your care, if needed, in the High Dependency or
Intensive Care Unit.
During the Operation
The anaesthetist and the anaesthesia team
Anaesthetists work closely with other professionals in the operating theatre.
- Paramedics with training in anaesthesia, who prepare
and maintain equipment, help the anaesthetist and take part in your care.
- The Surgeon
- Nurses in the operating theatre
- Nurses in the "recovery" room help care for you after
your surgery, ensuring that you have appropriate pain relief, until you are ready
to go back to the ward.
Conduct of Anaesthesia
The Anaesthetist stays with you throughout your operation, ensures you are safe
and comfortable and escorts you to the recovery room at the end of surgery. They
will plan for intravenous fluids, pain killers or other drugs, to be available to
you after the operation.
After the Operation
Your anaesthetist will be aware of your progress from seeing you in the recovery
room, and through feedback from nursing staff both in recovery and on the ward.
If there is a medical problem they can ask an Anaesthetist to visit you. There is
a consultant anaesthetist on call to care for you 24 hours a day, including weekends.
Paying for Anaesthesia Services
The Bridgend Clinic patients will see “Bridgend Anaesthetists Limited” in various
places on correspondence. BAL will invoice either you (through the Bridgend Clinic)
or your Insurance Company on behalf of your individual Anaesthetist. If Bridgend
Clinic quote a fixed price package this will include the Anaesthetic fee which is
payable to BAL, which will be collected by the Clinic Staff.
Some insurance companies will only reimburse a limited amount for some operations
and leave you liable for the remainder, and so BAL recommend you check with the
insurance company before your operation if you are in any doubt.
The fees charged
by BAL are available to view in the Bridgend Clinic office and patients are advised
to check these fees when their operation is booked.
For more information
about your anaesthetic, BAL recommend you visit
www.youranaesthetic.info This website,
provided by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, gives a variety of information about
the different types of anaesthesia used in various circumstances and can help you
reach decisions or identify further questions you may wish to ask your anaesthetist.
You can obtain information on the following topics