About us
The North of England Intensive Care Society (NEICS) spans the area from the Scottish borders to Northallerton in North Yorkshire, whilst also encompassing both East and West coasts of the North of England. As a society we aim to enhance and support both first-class training and educational development within our intensive care units. Please use the links in this section to explore more about our history, constitution and the current members of the NEICS committee. If you would like to become involved in the NEICS, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
NEICS History
Intensive Care in the UK is a young discipline, only achieving specialty status in 1996.
Much of the story of Intensive Care is therefore that of Anaesthesia. Likewise, Anaesthesia is a relatively young specialty, but is widely recognised as one of mankind's greatest inventions.
Until 1948, Anaesthesia was a faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons, but in the post-war years, with the establishment of the NHS, an enthusiastic drive to develop Anaesthesia led to distinct departments, academic chairs, and a number of regional societies being formed.
Newcastle saw the formation of the UK's second academic department and professorial chair (Edgar Pask) in 1949. This chair was eventually lost in 1997 when a reorganisation within the Medical School reduced the number of academic departments.
1948 also saw the formation of the North of England Society of Anaesthetists (NESA).
The original 1948 membership list includes Phillip Ayre (inventor of Ayre's T-piece) who remained a stalwart of the organisation past his retirement three decades later.
From twenty two members in 1948, NESA grew, maintaining around 135-140 members through the 1970s and 1980s. The 21st Anniversary dinner in 1969 was well attended, with Sir Edward Holden, 6th baronet of Oakworth house as guest of honour (DA 1946, FFARCS 1958)
A President's chain of Office was developed in the early 1960s, with the Ayre medal (for lifetime achievements in Anaesthesia within the Northern region) following in the 1970s
Subscription rates were 10 shillings for trainees, and £1 for consultants in the late 1960s. By the late 1990s, this had increased to a single £15 fee for trainees, and £15pa for consultants. A Miss Celia Haigh received £10pa for her long standing secretarial assistance, and a cash gift of £2 every Christmas was given to the Head Porter.
Academic meetings were held four times a year in Newcastle, with additional social activities (and some hefty drinks bills). By the mid-1970s, "Lessons from Intensive Care" featured in the programme, usually delivered by Joe Stoddard, one of the key pioneers of Intensive Care in the region.
NEICS was formed in 1994 by David Ryan & Paul Lawler, and modelled on the Association of Northwest Intensive Care units in the Manchester area. An explicit purpose of the Society was to address the Newcastle-centric arrangements of NESA, which had begun to suffer from falling attendances, particularly during the winter months. NEICS meetings were held alternately in the North & South of the region, and the first Committee reflected this: Barbara Fulton & Hazel Powell from Newcastle, Kathy Price (Sunderland), Paul Lawler (Middlesbrough) and Peter Ritchie (N Tees).
The original organisation of meetings (a local organiser supported by the committee), a regular trainees' prize presentation session, and a selection of local and national speakers at each meeting has remained virtually unchanged for 20 years. At that time, virtually all Intensive Care in the Northern Region was delivered by anaesthetists, with a wide range of clinical practice. NEICS meetings would often contain locally useful practical recommendations, helping to improve and standardise clinical management as a result.
As with many local activities in the UK medical world during the late 1990s-early 2000s, both NEICS and NESA meetings struggled and those of NESA ultimately stopped. The organisation eventually was subsumed by a newly rejuvenated NEICS in 2006, although vestiges remain: Several cardboard boxes, dutifully handed down through the generations, wrapped with dry, brittle sellotape. Inside, A4 envelopes untouched for decades, red war department books, a scattering of long expired cheque books, accountants triple copybooks, Xeroxed flimsy paper, polite copperplate acceptances or declinations of invitations, smudged typewritten correspondence b/w venues, the university, and Hon Secretaries; simple headed notepaper: "Newcastle General Hospital" with a switchboard number unchanged until the demolition of the building in 2010. There is no indication of the logos of Trusts, Foundation Hospitals, or the self-aggrandising "flagships of the NHS" in the future.
The membership lists through the years include a number of nationally recognised names (including Paul Lawler, Anna Batchelor, Ed Charlton, Chris Hull, David Greaves, and John Inkster), along with many others now dead, retired, or simply lost, with complex stories alluded to in brief notes: "Gone to Canada", "Left- bad debt", "To Dublin", "Resigned".
Likewise, the lists include names of hospitals long gone: Shotley Bridge Cardiac department, Catterick Military Hospital, Ingham Infirmary.
Perhaps in the future, should Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine separate completely, there will be scope to dust off the account books and records, recover the Presidential chain of office, and resurrect the North of England Society of Anaesthetists.
NEICS remains a strong and well attended society, with twice yearly meetings. The Spring meeting is a forum for national and international speakers on both clinical and research topics, while the Autumn meeting, rotating through the hospitals of the region, continues the tradition of hosting the trainees' prize presentations and more local speakers. Those interested in becoming part of the organising committee should contact NEICS using the links on this site.
NEICS Committee
Dr Uwe Franke - NEICS President
Uwe Franke graduated from Humboldt University Berlin, Germany in 2001. Following research and postgraduate training in Medicine in Berlin he moved to North East England to undergo training in Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. He now works as a Consultant Intensivist and Anaesthetist in the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
Dr Jane Danby - Secretary
Jane Danby completed a Physiology degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, after which she decided to remain at University and to continue her studies, qualifying in Medicine in 2007. She is now an Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine consultant at the Freeman Hospital.
Dr Joe Nevin - Secretary
After moving up from Bristol in 2005, Joe Nevin completed his medical degree at Newcastle University in 2010. He remained in the North-East to complete his ICM and anaesthesia training in the Northern Deanery. He works as a consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Freeman Hospital.
Dr Colin McAdam - NEICS Treasurer
Colin moved to north east in 2005, graduating from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2010. After completing Dual Anaesthetic and ICM Training in 2021 he became a Consultant at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. He is currently Faculty Tutor for ICM in the 'Boro.
Dr Amy Fox - Co-Treasurer
Amy graduated from Newcastle medical school in 2014 and is currently an intensive care trainee in the North East, occasionally dabbling in anaesthetics and health professions education.
Dr Ian Nesbitt - Former NEICS President
Ian Nesbitt qualified from Newcastle upon Tyne University in 1991, and trained in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He currently works in anaesthesia and on a 22 bed mixed adult intensive care unit in the Freeman Hospital. He is counting the minutes to retirement...
Dr Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is a consultant in anaesthetics and intensive care medicine at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. He also works as an aircrew doctor for the Great North Air Ambulance Service and is an Army Reservist with 201 (Northern) Field Hospital. He has worked in developing countries including for an NGO delivering aeromedical retrieval services for most of East Africa His medical interests include major trauma, humanitarian and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) medicine. He is the Newcastle Hospitals lead for major incidents
Dr Tim Norfolk
Tim Norfolk graduated from Newcastle University in 2013 , married a Geordie and has remained in the North East ever since. After completing his ICM training in 2024 he was appointed as a single CCT Intensivist at Northumbria. His specialist interests include haemodynamic monitoring, critical care echocardiography and medical education.
Dr Andrew Kane
Andrew qualified in medicine through the MB PhD programme at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 2013. He graduated with a first class Natural Sciences degree in Physiology and completed his PhD in fetal cardiovascular physiology under the guidance of Prof Dino Giussani. During his academic foundation programme in neurocritical care he worked with Prof David Menon and Dr Virginia Newcombe to develop neurotrauma outcome prediction models using MRI. He has recently taken up his first consultant post.
Dr Gavin Hardy
Ventured North from Hull to complete a medical degree at Newcastle University in 2010, and has never left! Now a consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Freeman Hospital. Professional interests in point of care ultrasound, critical care echocardiography and medical education.
Dr Steve Chay
Dr Steve Chay qualified from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1989. He has been a SASG doctor in adult Intensive Care from 1995.
Dr Suzy O’Neil
Dr Suzi O’Neill is a Consultant in Intensive Care & Anaesthesia at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. Dr O’Neill is also the Training Programme Director for Intensive Care & ACCS within the Northern School of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine.
Dr Kamal Sayes - Trainee Representative
Embarked on an adventure up North in 2014 to study Medicine in sunny Newcastle – and never looked back! Currently an anaesthetic trainee, finding interests in point-of-care ultrasound and medical education..
Dr Dominic Hutchinson – Trainee Representative
Dr Arran Dingwall – Trainee Representative
Born in Newcastle Arran had a stint in London studying Biomedical Sciences, with research in Immunology. Since studying Medicine, he has developed an ongoing interest in critical care, from medical school electives to Foundation jobs. Now working as a Clinical Fellow in Emergency Medicine, with a Pre-Hospital component, he aims are to pursue a career dual training in ICM.
Dr Holly Speed – Trainee Representative
Holly Speed completed a degree in Biomedical Sciences leading to her working in pharmaceuticals and clinical trials prior to her graduating from Newcastle Medical School in 2019. She is currently an ACCS Anaesthetics trainee in the region with aspirations of dual training in Anaesthetics and ICM.
Karen Donnelly – Non-medical Representative
Karen qualified in 1993 as a Registered General Nurse and has predominately worked in Critical Care in both the UK and Australia. Her career has involved local, regional and national work,in her role as clinical educator at James Cook. She was part of the working group for the National Competency Framework for Critical Care Nurses, to develop and implement an educational programme for Critical Care. Having completed a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice, Karen qualified as an Advanced Critial Care Practitioner in 2017 and currently works at James Cook Critical care units. She remains involved with teaching and is the medical lead and teaching faculty for training for transfer.
NEICS constitution
North of England Intensive Care Society (NEICS)
As amended 28th March 2017
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization is the North of England Intensive Care Society.
ARTICLE 2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Society are to promote the art and science of Critical Care medicine through the exchange of information and dialogue among physicians; and professions allied to medicine.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERS
NEICS shall consist of individual members. Membership shall be granted as follows:
- Active members: Physicians in relevant specialties
- Affiliate members: Professions Allied to medicine working in acute or critical care areas
- Honorary members (retired physicians, allied professions, other selected individuals by Committee vote)
After due notice (30 days) and hearing (30 days), the Committee may censure, suspend, or expel any member for a violation of the Constitution or the Principles of Medical Ethics, or for unethical or illegal conduct.
ARTICLE 4. COMMITTEE
The legislative and policy-making body of the Society is the Committee, composed of representatives of the Society.
The Committee shall transact all business of the Society not otherwise specifically provided for in this Constitution.
ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS
The lead officers of this Society are: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
They are supported by the following delegated roles:
Website and social media lead, Meeting lead, Seminar meeting lead, 2 non-medical representatives and 4 trainee representatives
Their terms of office shall be as follows:
Tenure of office: Five years with an 18 month probationary period, and with renewal on a basis of mutual agreement.
Duties: President. The President shall: (1) preside at all general meetings of the Society and of the Committee; (2) serve as a member of the Committee
Secretary. The Secretary shall: (1) keep minutes of the proceedings of the general meetings of the Society, and of meetings of the Committee (2) notify members of meetings, (3) provide for the registration of members at general meetings of the Society and keep a record of such registration; and (4) serve as a member of the Committee.
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall (1) serve as a member of the Committee; (2)
maintain the records of and demand and receive all funds due the Society,
including bequests and donations; deposit these funds in a depository approved by the Committee; and keep an accurate record of all funds of the Society; (3) present a budget of necessary expenses of the Society for the following year to the Committee for its approval, normally at the regular Spring meeting, and pay all bills within the scope of the approved budget; (4) pay bills not within the scope of the approved budget only on order of the Committee; (5) be in a position to subject the accounts of the Society to external examination by auditors if required.
Website and social media lead, with responsibility for NEICS website and interaction with social media
Meeting lead, Seminar meeting lead, rotating roles responsible for organising Spring, Winter and evening seminars.
Trainee representatives Responsible for promoting NEICS for trainees in the region, linking committee work, meeting content etc.with other trainee activity in the region.
Non-medical representatives. Responsible for promoting NEICS for non-medical staff, linking committee work, meeting content etc. with the needs of non-medical membership.
If an Officer dies, resigns, ceases to be a member in good standing of the Society, or for any other reason cannot assume the duties of his or her office, the president (or Secretary if the President is indisposed) may appoint another member, who must also be an active member of this Society, to serve in his or her place during the balance of the term or during the disability or absence, as circumstances may dictate.
ARTICLE 6. ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC & EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS
The Society shall hold scientific and educational meetings at such places and times as the Committee may determine. The Secretary shall give each member adequate notice of this meeting (12 weeks or more).
Annual General Meetings
A General meeting of the Committee, open to all NEICS members shall be held annually (usually after the Spring NEICS meeting). The Annual statement shall be discussed at this general meeting.
ARTICLE 7. FUNDS
Funds for conducting the affairs of the Society may be raised: (1) by attendance fees for educational meetings from the members of the Society as the Committee may determine; (2) by sponsorship by pharmaceutical and similar companies in support of educational activities; (3) by voluntary contributions, devises, bequests, and other gifts; and (4) in any other manner approved by the Committee.
Expenses of the Society may be those dispensed in the course of directly providing educational meetings (Necessary expenses). Other allowable expenses may be incurred by NEICS members in support of the Society. These allowable expenses shall include: entertainment fees for invited speakers and catering during organising meetings (typically twice a year).
The Financial management of the organisation will be independently assessed annually by an external accountant appointed for this purpose, and their report presented at the Annual General meeting of the organisation at the close of each Spring meeting
In the circumstance of dissolution of the Society, such funds remaining after resolution of outstanding expenses shall be distributed as follows: equal shares to each of the charitable funds in the Intensive Care units within the Northern Region, to be used only for improvements in patient care.
ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended in any meeting of the Committee by a two-thirds vote of the Committee members present and voting. A minimum (quorate) number of representatives for such meetings shall be eight.