Some cookies are essential to the running of the website, while others (analytics) help us to make improvements. We also incorporate functionality from other websites, such as video, social media feeds and ReachDeck (text-to-speech and translations services) which may set cookies. More on how we use cookies
This website uses text-to-speech software called ReachDeck to read and / or translate its content. To use ReachDeck, you must allow ReachDeck cookies; the ReachDeck icon will then appear at the bottom right of your screen.
You can find out more about how ReachDeck uses cookies or change your cookie preferences at any time by going to our cookies page.
Allow ReachDeck cookies Do not use ReachDeck
Please find service updates and current visiting rules in our COVID-19 section.
This site is best viewed with a modern browser. You appear to be using an old version of Internet Explorer.
The John Radcliffe Women’s Centre has an annual delivery rate of nearly 8000. A group of twelve clinicians provide a consultant-led obstetric anaesthesia service. From Monday to Friday there are two Delivery Suite consultant sessions each morning and afternoon and a daily elective caesarean section list. Additional consultant sessions cover the weekly high-risk clinic, the cardiac antenatal clinic and pre-caesarean section assessment clinics.
The Delivery Suite is staffed by a dedicated anaesthetic trainee out-of-hours and there is a separate consultant on-call rota for obstetric anaesthesia. Currently, the caesarean section rate is approximately 25% and over 40% of women choose neuraxial analgesia in labour. The large amount of clinical material provides excellent opportunities for research, audit teaching and training.
The Oxford unit is a regional referral centre for high-risk and complicated pregnancy and has an international reputation for the management of hypertension. The unit is also a referral centre for the management of cases of abnormally invasive placenta. A multidisciplinary approach to management of all high-risk cases is encouraged and there are therefore many requests for antenatal anaesthetic assessment. There is a weekly multidisciplinary meeting for discussion of high-risk cases. Each month there is an obstetric anaesthetic governance meeting at which interesting cases are presented.
All first year specialist registrars in Oxford are allocated to a three-month unit of modular training in obstetric anaesthesia. In addition, senior trainees in the Oxford Deanery may apply for a six-month advanced training module in obstetric anaesthesia. In addition, there are a number of Fellowship posts available. Successful applicants join the resident rota and are encouraged to take an active role in teaching, research, audit and quality improvement projects and management.
Dr Desi Choi
Head of Obstetric Anaesthesia Email: desi.choi@ouh.nhs.uk