Ensuring that every member of staff is competent to do the task that they are asked to do, independent of grade or nomination.
Leeds Pancreas Unit has a strong philosophy of training and research. We believe that good training ultimately improves the care of patients. This means that some procedures are performed by trainees under the direct supervision of a Consultant. We like to encourage this although if you do not want a trainee to perform your procedure, you do have the right to refuse.
Finally, we do run research projects through the Pancreas Unit, but you will be contacted directly by a member of the research team to seek your specific consent for any research project.
There are several services with which the Pancreas Unit has very close working relationships:
Intensive Care Unit (ITU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU)
Our patients often require increased support and monitoring throughout their stay. Sometimes they will receive some of their care on these units. This can be as part of the routine care after major pancreatic surgery or in acute situations they may be transferred from the ward.
Microbiology
We work in close collaboration particularly with microbiology, especially with our complex acute pancreatitis patients. This is to guide our treatment if an infection occurs, offering tailored treatments for your care with us.
Dietetics / Nutrition
Nutrition is key to the wellbeing of our patients. There is a dietitian assigned to the Pancreas Unit who is available on the wards and in some instances follow patients up when they are seen in out-patient clinic. Our dieticians have developed strong links with the community dieticians and will be on hand to offer specialist advice for those with long term pancreatic problems.
Radiology
There are very strong established links with colleagues in Radiology. They guide appropriate radiological investigation for a variety of pancreatic conditions and report scans. They also perform procedures such as drain insertions or biopsies to progress the investigation and aid speedy recovery for our patients.
GI Surgery
There are 18 Surgeons specialising in GI Surgery – 4 Pancreatic, 5 Upper Gastrointestinal, 11 Colorectal. Occasionally our patients will require specialist input from one of these teams.
Academic Medicine
We have strong links within the University of Leeds campus and regularly have trainee colleagues who you may come across including medical students, nursing students, trainee allied health professionals. The surgical team will include higher and core surgical trainees from Health Education Yorkshire & Humber, as well as overseas Fellows. We are keen to engage with our students to further their learning and help them along their career.