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Regional Vascular Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Vascular Surgery
Description
Formerly Auckland Regional Vascular Services
What is Vascular Surgery?
Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery that involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the vessels (arteries and veins) of the vascular system.
Vascular disorders include blockages and narrowings of the blood vessels, abnormal swellings of the vessels (aneurysm) or vessel malfunctions. The disease processes involved in vascular disorders often involve other body systems and your treatment may therefore require the combined efforts of other medical specialists such as radiologists and general physicians.
The Auckland Regional Vascular Service catchment area extends from Central Auckland to Cape Reinga. The aim of our service is to provide you with the highest possible care.
Consultants
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Dr Russell Bourchier
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Parminder Chandhok
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Ian Civil
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Anastasia Dean
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Donald Harris
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Andrew Hill
Vascular Surgeon (Clinical Director)
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Dr Carl Muthu
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr Peter Vann (Vanniasingham)
Vascular Surgeon
Referral Expectations
Acute Referrals
If you have an urgent problem requiring immediate vascular assessment, your GP will refer you acutely to the Vascular Service where you will initially be seen at Auckland City Hospital Emergency Department by a Vascular Registrar who will decide whether you need to be admitted to hospital. Investigations will be performed as required, and the more senior members of the team involved where necessary. Other acute/urgent referrals may be seen in the next vascular outpatient clinic.
Non-acute Referrals
If the problem is not urgent, the GP will write a referral to the Vascular Service requesting an appointment in the outpatient clinic. One of the vascular consultants reviews these referrals to determine the priority.
When you come to the Vascular Outpatient Department you will be seen by a member of the Vascular Services Team who will ask questions about your illness and examine you to determine or confirm the diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays, scans etc). Sometimes this can all be done during one clinic visit, but for some conditions this will take several follow-up appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before you are seen at the hospital to try speed up the process.
Once a diagnosis has been made, the medical staff will discuss treatment options with you. They will write to your GP with advice and may or may not arrange for you to attend a follow-up clinic.
Procedures / Treatments
This is the dilatation or ballooning of a section of the aorta which is the main artery coming out and away from the heart. An aneurysm usually occurs because of an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that point. Very often you will not have any symptoms from the aneurysm and it may only be discovered through a chest x-ray or CT scan. If the aneurysm begins to get larger or leak, you may experience chest or back pain. If there is a risk of the aneurysm bursting, surgery will be required.
This is the dilatation or ballooning of a section of the aorta which is the main artery coming out and away from the heart. An aneurysm usually occurs because of an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that point. Very often you will not have any symptoms from the aneurysm and it may only be discovered through a chest x-ray or CT scan. If the aneurysm begins to get larger or leak, you may experience chest or back pain. If there is a risk of the aneurysm bursting, surgery will be required.
This is the dilatation or ballooning of a section of the aorta which is the main artery coming out and away from the heart. An aneurysm usually occurs because of an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that point.
Very often you will not have any symptoms from the aneurysm and it may only be discovered through a chest x-ray or CT scan. If the aneurysm begins to get larger or leak, you may experience chest or back pain.
If there is a risk of the aneurysm bursting, surgery will be required.
You have two carotid arteries, one on either side of your neck, that supply blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease occurs if these arteries become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (a build up of fat and cholesterol deposits on the inner walls of the vessels). If a clot forms in one of the carotid arteries and reduces or stops the flow of blood to part of your brain, it may cause a stroke. You have an increased risk of developing carotid artery disease if you: have a family history of atherosclerosis smoke have high blood pressure (hypertension) have diabetes have coronary artery disease. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes e.g. stopping smoking, exercising more, dietary changes and/or medication. If there is severe narrowing of the arteries, treatment may involve surgery.
You have two carotid arteries, one on either side of your neck, that supply blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease occurs if these arteries become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (a build up of fat and cholesterol deposits on the inner walls of the vessels). If a clot forms in one of the carotid arteries and reduces or stops the flow of blood to part of your brain, it may cause a stroke. You have an increased risk of developing carotid artery disease if you: have a family history of atherosclerosis smoke have high blood pressure (hypertension) have diabetes have coronary artery disease. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes e.g. stopping smoking, exercising more, dietary changes and/or medication. If there is severe narrowing of the arteries, treatment may involve surgery.
You have two carotid arteries, one on either side of your neck, that supply blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease occurs if these arteries become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (a build up of fat and cholesterol deposits on the inner walls of the vessels). If a clot forms in one of the carotid arteries and reduces or stops the flow of blood to part of your brain, it may cause a stroke.
You have an increased risk of developing carotid artery disease if you:
- have a family history of atherosclerosis
- smoke
- have high blood pressure (hypertension)
- have diabetes
- have coronary artery disease.
Treatment may involve lifestyle changes e.g. stopping smoking, exercising more, dietary changes and/or medication. If there is severe narrowing of the arteries, treatment may involve surgery.
Peripheral arterial disease refers to the narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain, usually as the result of atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" (a build up of fatty deposits on the inner wall of arteries). When the arteries become narrowed, the flow of blood to the target organs or tissues is reduced. The arteries commonly affected are those carrying blood to the kidneys, stomach, arms and legs. Peripheral arterial disease often appears first in your legs, with the most common symptom being dull, cramping leg pain that occurs when exercising but stops when you stand still. This is known as "intermittent claudication". Treatment for peripheral arterial disease may involve medication and/or surgery.
Peripheral arterial disease refers to the narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain, usually as the result of atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" (a build up of fatty deposits on the inner wall of arteries). When the arteries become narrowed, the flow of blood to the target organs or tissues is reduced. The arteries commonly affected are those carrying blood to the kidneys, stomach, arms and legs. Peripheral arterial disease often appears first in your legs, with the most common symptom being dull, cramping leg pain that occurs when exercising but stops when you stand still. This is known as "intermittent claudication". Treatment for peripheral arterial disease may involve medication and/or surgery.
Peripheral arterial disease refers to the narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain, usually as the result of atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" (a build up of fatty deposits on the inner wall of arteries). When the arteries become narrowed, the flow of blood to the target organs or tissues is reduced. The arteries commonly affected are those carrying blood to the kidneys, stomach, arms and legs. Peripheral arterial disease often appears first in your legs, with the most common symptom being dull, cramping leg pain that occurs when exercising but stops when you stand still. This is known as "intermittent claudication". Treatment for peripheral arterial disease may involve medication and/or surgery.
The most common venous disorders treated by vascular surgery are varicose veins. This occurs when veins in the thighs and legs become enlarged and twisted. This is often caused by the failure of the one-way valve system in the veins, in which case it can be treated surgically by removing the segments of veins containing the malfunctioning valves as well as those veins which are significantly dilated.
The most common venous disorders treated by vascular surgery are varicose veins. This occurs when veins in the thighs and legs become enlarged and twisted. This is often caused by the failure of the one-way valve system in the veins, in which case it can be treated surgically by removing the segments of veins containing the malfunctioning valves as well as those veins which are significantly dilated.
The most common venous disorders treated by vascular surgery are varicose veins. This occurs when veins in the thighs and legs become enlarged and twisted. This is often caused by the failure of the one-way valve system in the veins, in which case it can be treated surgically by removing the segments of veins containing the malfunctioning valves as well as those veins which are significantly dilated.
Visiting Hours
Inpatient visiting hours are 10.30am - 8pm
If you wish to visit outside these times please discuss with the Charge Nurse of Ward 41.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the ward.
Public Transport
Accommodation
Patients transferring to and from Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)
When travelling to or returning home following discharge from Te Toka Tumai Auckland you are responsible for arranging your own transport.
If you require travel assistance, some options may include:
- A free hospital shuttle between Auckland Hospital and Whangārei Hospital is available for all patients, operating Monday to Friday. This must be pre-booked before you leave Whangārei or return from Auckland.
- For those eligible, the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme can provide subsidised travel and accommodation assistance for you and ONE support person only.
To find out if you are eligible or to register or to make a reservation contact 0800 862 684 or email . You will need your NHI number and your appointment details.
- If you need further assistance please request social work services wherever possible prior to leaving Northland.
Pharmacy
There is a public pharmacy located on Level 5.
Security
For the safety and security of our patients and staff, the main doors to the ward are locked between 8pm and 10.30am.
Visiting outside these hours is by arrangement only.
Website
Contact Details
Auckland City Hospital
Central Auckland
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Phone
(09) 307 4949 ext 23909
Website
Vascular Service
Level 4
Building 32
Auckland City Hospital
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Street Address
Vascular Service
Level 4
Building 32
Auckland City Hospital
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Postal Address
Vascular Services
PO Box 92 024
Auckland 1023
New Zealand
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This page was last updated at 10:41AM on April 10, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Regional Vascular Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai | Te Whatu Ora.