General Surgery

We aim to offer the most up-to-date clinical care for patients with benign disease of the upper gastro-intestine including the oesophagus, stomach and gall bladder tract. Nearly 90% of the surgery we now offer is laparoscopic or ‘keyhole’ surgery which means a shorter stay in hospital and a quicker return to normal activities. This surgery includes the removal of gallbladders, surgery for hernias of the abdominal wall and surgery for heartburn and hiatus hernias.

We are also the regional centre for bariatric surgery (obesity) providing a surgical weight management service. We carry out gastric ballooning, gastric banding, gastric sleeves and gastric bypasses.

The specialist bariatric nurse is an integral part of the bariatric MDT, providing support and education to patients and advocating for them, both before and after surgery.

We have integrated biopsychosocial assessment into the bariatric pathway to ensure our patients receive the appropriate pre-surgical help they need.

We offer advice and nursing support to patients and their families following surgery and this includes organising investigations into complications, telephone reviews and running a monthly support group for patients to encourage and facilitate peer support.

The colorectal teams at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital provide surgery for bowel cancer, benign colorectal diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, rectal prolapse and functional bowel disorders, including obstructive defaecation/constipation/faecal incontinence and benign anorectal conditions as well as general surgical referrals.

We are a team of 8 consultants, with one colorectal cancer MDT.

The unit is supported by 6 Specialist Nurses with HCA support and a dedicated enhanced recovery nurse.

Laparoscopic surgery is provided for wide range of colorectal conditions. Patients go through the enhanced recovery programme which leads to quicker recovery and early discharge from hospital. Additionally robotic surgery is undertaken on the SRH site and is enhancing surgical techniques still further.

We aim to provide physical, psychological and spiritual support for both men and women who have bowel disease. We work within a specialist colorectal team. Using research-based practice and listening to patients we try to improve and move the service forward. Our role is:

• To work closely with the colorectal team in the provision of care to patients with colorectal disease including:
• Colorectal cancer/benign colorectal disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative disease
• Constipation/obstructive defaecation/faecal incontinence
• To provide advice, information and support to patients and their families from diagnosis to review.
• To act as key workers and provide continuity for patients, their families and carers throughout their treatment journey.
• To offer counselling/advice/teaching and support to any patients undergoing stoma formation, which includes community visits following discharge home.
• Ensure time, confidentiality and privacy to discuss issues such as body image and sexuality.
• To co-ordinate the input of other healthcare professionals.
• To provide or direct information, education, advice and support for patients, families and staff.

We are available to see patients and carers in the outpatient department, on the wards and in patients’ homes if required. Our working hours are 08:30-16:30, Monday to Friday.

Our office is located in the Chester Wing Outpatients Department.

Contact us on extension 47221 at SRH.

The general surgery team provide a comprehensive service for abdominal hernias. We deal with all kinds of abdominal hernias, using open or key hole surgery, doing simple suture repair or mesh as necessary and using local or general anaesthetic depending on the wishes of the patient, the preference of the surgeon and the hernia type. Lumps and bumps are managed on an individual basis as not all are funded by commissioners and GP’s will need to submit a specific request for some of these.

The Emergency Surgical Assessment unit (ESAU) is situated on C floor, close to C Level Theatre and next door to C32 which is the designated stepdown ward for General Surgery.  Patients are referred to ESAU when they require admission for a surgical intervention, further diagnostics or close observation.  

ESAU is a 25 bedded ward which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Patients are admitted to ESAU from SDEC, GP, Clinic or ED.  Depending on the management plan, they will go direct to theatre from ESAU or, if the patient is required to stay in hospital longer, they will transfer to C32 to continue with their recovery. 

General Surgery SDEC is co-located with medicine in the SDEC unit and the opening hours are currently 08:00 to 20:30 seven days per week. This service is led by Surgical Nurse Practitioners and fully supported by the Surgical On-call team.

The aim of SDEC is to minimise and remove delays in the patient pathway allowing services to process emergency patients within the same day as an alternative to hospital admission. The process includes the delivery of patient assessment, diagnostics, diagnosis and a treatment plan on the same day to ensure the pathway processes align to the NHS Long Term Plan (2019).

The team will accept clinically stable patients from ED, GP, district nurses, specialist nurses and provide same day emergency care functions to prevent admission, if possible, to an in-patient bed. Those patients requiring admission for a surgical procedure or for further diagnostics and observation are admitted to the Emergency Surgical Assessment Unit (ESAU).

The Surgical Centre is purposely, architectural designed surgical ward which currently has a bed capacity of 25 patients. 

The ward cares for both planned and unplanned general surgical and colorectal patients at the South Tyneside site. There are 5 Consultants based on the ward. 

Our Ward Vision “All patients are treated with personalised, professional and holistic care. On entry to the ward, each individual (patients, medical staff and relatives) is welcomed by staff into the friendly, open environment, which is fostered through strong leadership and outstanding staff. Teamwork is key: equality, compassion and high standards create a harmonious, open and honest practice with clear communication being the heart of the ward.”