Academic Surgical and Perioperative Medicine Unit

The Accident and Emergency department is the busiest in the North West of England. The Trust serves a population of 530,000. Many of the areas covered by the Trust suffer from significant deprivation, with some areas amongst the most disadvantaged in England.  Many of the conditions treated in East Lancashire are a result of this multiple deprivation: trauma, osteoporotic fractures, metabolic disease, degenerative diseases, genetic diseases, multiple co-morbidies, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and prematurity.  In addition, East Lancashire has a very young population with 25% of the population in Blackburn aged under 16 years of age. This is the second highest in England with most areas having less than 20% of the population under 16 years of age.

ELHT has a wide number of regional and sub regional surgical and anaesthetic units.  Many of the sub-specialities have national or regional leaders in their fields of expertise. There is extensive experience in the areas of research and education.  Many of the consultants and members of their teams have been awarded Doctorates or Masters post graduate degrees in research or education. ELHT has 274 publications listed on the Researchgate site with significant research collaborations with the Universities of Manchester and Central Lancashire.

The specialities and sub-specialities are supported by a full range of medical and diagnostic/imaging specialities:

• Radiology:  ‘state of the art’ diagnostics
• Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Paediatrics
• Rehabiliation (Physiotherapy, occupational therapy etc.)
• Peri-operative staff (ANPs, SCP, ODPs, plaster technicians etc.)

There are established and strong links to academic institutions: 

• University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
• University of Lancaster
• University of Leeds
• University of Salford
• American University of the Caribbean
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Anaesthetists
• Health Education Northwest
• Public Health England. 

These include: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor  and Professor posts (Honorary and Visiting) linked with these institutions. A 10 year stategic alliance has recently been signed by ELHT and UCLAN. This partnership and co-operation has been successful in developing the new medical school and in delivering MSc courses in musculo-skeletal medicine. Surgical and anaesthetic specialities have clinical tutor and educational/ academic links with the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Three university medical schools send national and international medical students the the Trust for their clinical training (University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster and the American University of the Caribbean).

National and international exit and membership examinations (Surgery and Anaesthetics) organised by the Royal Colleges of Surgeons or Anaesthetists are actively supported by the trust:

Many of the consultants are experienced national and university examiners (under-graduate and post-graduate).

Several national examinations have been hosted or undertaken at the Royal Blackburn Teaching  Hospital [MRCS, FRCS].

There is a modern, well equiped ‘Learning Centre’ and library to support the educational process.  There is an established Research and Development department with strong links to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Royal Colleges and regional research and audit units. This is an exciting time for surgical and anaesthetic clinical care. Future developments and continuing research are being led by the Director of the Surgery and Anaesthetics department, Mr Shahid Islam.